Baseball's Smolinski Tabbed Cape Cod League MVP
Aug 13, 2026 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State junior infielder Ty Smolinski headlined the Cape Cod Baseball League's (CCBL) postseason awards, earning the 2026 Pat Sorenti Award, which is presented annually to the league's Most Valuable Player.
A product of Gretna, Nebraska, Smolinski becomes the first K-State player to earn any of the CCBL's postseason honors and the first player from the Big 12 Conference to receive the league's highest individual honor since the award was established in 1964. He also becomes the first player in K-State recorded history to earn MVP honors in any summer collegiate league.
Gallery: (8-13-2026) KStateBSB Ty Smolinski, CCBL 2026
Playing shortstop this summer for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League – regarded as the top collegiate summer league in the nation – and former K-State baseball assistant coach Steve Englert, Smolinski emerged as one of the league's most complete players. He led the Mariners to the 2026 CCBL Championship, defeating the Bourne Braves, 4-2, in Game 3 of the Championship Series to claim the franchise's seventh championship. The junior went 8-for-26 in the postseason with a .938 OPS that included three doubles and a home run, along with five RBI and two stolen bases.
Smolinski was also named the Marty McDonough MVP Award winner, presented annually to the Mariners' Most Valuable Player. He is the first Harwich player to earn the league's MVP honor since current Major Leaguer Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016.
Missing just three games during the regular summer ball season, Smolinski finished among the CCBL's leaders in nearly every major offensive category. The junior hit .313 with 42 hits, 27 runs scored, six home runs, nine doubles and 10 stolen bases in 37 games. He ranked second in the league in both runs, hits, doubles, while finishing third in OPS (.935), slugging percentage (.530) and home runs.
His dominant summer also earned national recognition, as Baseball America ranked Smolinski as the No. 6 MLB prospect from Cape Cod, describing him as "one of the most impressive performers this summer on the Cape."
Smolinski made an immediate impact on the Cape, earning a spot on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays on Opening Day after making an impressive behind-the-back toss for a 4-6-3 putout.
In addition to the championship, Harwich earned the Paul Galop Commissioner's Cup, presented annually to the team that demonstrates the highest level of integrity and professionalism both on and off the field.
Smolinski is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign for the Wildcats in 2026, finishing third on the team with a .339 batting average and second with a 1.059 OPS. Primarily starting at first base, Smolinski posted a .619 slugging percentage that included a team-leading 18 doubles, one triple and nine home runs. He also earned recognition on D1Baseball's Top 50 First Basemen in the organization's Week Six Player Rankings.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
A product of Gretna, Nebraska, Smolinski becomes the first K-State player to earn any of the CCBL's postseason honors and the first player from the Big 12 Conference to receive the league's highest individual honor since the award was established in 1964. He also becomes the first player in K-State recorded history to earn MVP honors in any summer collegiate league.
Playing shortstop this summer for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League – regarded as the top collegiate summer league in the nation – and former K-State baseball assistant coach Steve Englert, Smolinski emerged as one of the league's most complete players. He led the Mariners to the 2026 CCBL Championship, defeating the Bourne Braves, 4-2, in Game 3 of the Championship Series to claim the franchise's seventh championship. The junior went 8-for-26 in the postseason with a .938 OPS that included three doubles and a home run, along with five RBI and two stolen bases.
Smolinski was also named the Marty McDonough MVP Award winner, presented annually to the Mariners' Most Valuable Player. He is the first Harwich player to earn the league's MVP honor since current Major Leaguer Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016.
Tyler Smolinski, SS | 2026 Cape Cod MVP
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) August 12, 2026
Smolinski took home CCBL MVP honors for helping to lead Harwich to another championship. The Kansas State infielder hit .313/.405/.530 with six home runs over 37 games.
The Top 25 Cape League draft prospects:https://t.co/n1uq84VB48 pic.twitter.com/yQGZpc7uC6
Missing just three games during the regular summer ball season, Smolinski finished among the CCBL's leaders in nearly every major offensive category. The junior hit .313 with 42 hits, 27 runs scored, six home runs, nine doubles and 10 stolen bases in 37 games. He ranked second in the league in both runs, hits, doubles, while finishing third in OPS (.935), slugging percentage (.530) and home runs.
His dominant summer also earned national recognition, as Baseball America ranked Smolinski as the No. 6 MLB prospect from Cape Cod, describing him as "one of the most impressive performers this summer on the Cape."
Smolinski made an immediate impact on the Cape, earning a spot on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays on Opening Day after making an impressive behind-the-back toss for a 4-6-3 putout.
Ty Smolinski's (@KStateBSB) behind the back toss to Julio Solier (@BCBirdBall) to finish the inning! #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/G2Qum5ueL9
— Harwich Mariners (@HarwichMariners) June 13, 2026
In addition to the championship, Harwich earned the Paul Galop Commissioner's Cup, presented annually to the team that demonstrates the highest level of integrity and professionalism both on and off the field.
Smolinski is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign for the Wildcats in 2026, finishing third on the team with a .339 batting average and second with a 1.059 OPS. Primarily starting at first base, Smolinski posted a .619 slugging percentage that included a team-leading 18 doubles, one triple and nine home runs. He also earned recognition on D1Baseball's Top 50 First Basemen in the organization's Week Six Player Rankings.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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