2023 Baseball Offensive Player of the Year: Walker Jenkins

***ICYMI: Boys Golfer of the Year: John Logan***

***ICYMI: Boys Tennis Player of the Year: Hayes Gilbert***

***ICYMI: Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Hannah Grace***

***ICYMI: Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Brethan Barnhill***

***ICYMI: Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year: Lillian Austin***

***ICYMI: Boys Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Long***

***ICYMI: Boys Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year: Kenan Everhart***

***ICYMI: Softball Offensive Player of the Year: Macey Ciamillo***

***ICYMI: Softball Pitcher of the Year: Kina Davis***

***ICYMI: Girls Soccer Defensive Player of the Year: Ellie Zimmerman***

***ICYMI: Girls Soccer Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Ella Johnson***

***ICYMI: Girls Soccer Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Karina Peat***

Now that the spring sports season has come to a close, it’s time to reveal the All-Coastal Preps teams. Over the past two weeks, you’ve gotten to know more about the players of the year, while also seeing who made first and second team in boys golf, boys tennis, boys and girls track & field, boys and girls lacrosse, softball, girls soccer and baseball.

For the second year in a row, the Coastal Preps Baseball Offensive Player of the Year is senior Walker Jenkins from South Brunswick.

Walker’s Accomplishments

Every team that faced South Brunswick understood the risk they took by pitching to Walker Jenkins. Many of them decided that risk wasn’t worth it, electing to send the standout center fielder on his way to first base with an intentional walk.

When he did get a pitch to hit, Jenkins rarely missed it. He finished with a .417 batting average and 33 runs scored in 24 games. Jenkins drew a walk in 32 of his 95 plate appearances to finish with an impressive .632 on-base percentage.

At one point in late March, Jenkins had reached base in 17 consecutive trips to the plate. 

The UNC signee, who is likely to be selected early in the first round of the upcoming MLB Draft, was named the N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year for a second straight season. He became the first repeat winner since T.C. Roberson’s Cameron Maybin in 2004 and 2005.

More about Walker 

Favorite Restaurant(s): Old Bridge Diner and Chick-fil-A 

Favorite Movie(s): The Natural and Interstellar

Favorite TV Show(s): Arrow and Supernatural

Favorite Athlete(s): Bryce Harper and Ken Griffey Jr.

Favorite memory from this season: Hanging out with my buddies.

Favorite memory from your career: Playing in the State Championship.

Favorite thing about your school or team: The desire to win.

Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals? If so, what are they?: I always pray.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?: All across Europe.

If you could switch places with any person (real or fictional) for a day who would it be?: Superman

Are you a morning or night person?: Night person

What is something you could eat for a week straight?: Chicken and rice

What is your favorite milkshake flavor from Cook Out?: Caramel

What app on your phone do you use the most?: TikTok

What is one hidden talent you have that most people don’t know about?: Pickleball

What 3 items would you bring with you to a deserted island?: Fire starter, machete and water

Would you rather dance or sing in front of a group of people?: Dance