Christ Conley Named 2017 PGCBL Player of the Year

Canisius catcher Christ Conley has been named the 2017 Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) Player of the Year, the league announced Tuesday.

"It's an honor to win this award and it's something I wasn't expecting," Conley said. "I don't like to think too much about awards from a personal standpoint; the main goal for every team is to win a championship. For a team to make it to a championship you're going to have some good teammates and it makes it easier to play when you're surrounded by other guys who are doing well."

Conley collected one of the most impressive statistical lines in the history of the league in 41 regular-season games played this season. He ranked second among qualified batters with a .382 average (47-for-123) while leading the entire PGCBL with a .582 on-base percentage and a .610 slugging percentage. He was the only qualified batter in the circuit with an on-base percentage above .500 and a slugging percentage above .600. Conley crushed the previous league record for on-base percentage, which was set by 2014 Player of the Year Josh Gardiner (.543). His slugging percentage is the third highest all-time and his batting average ranks seventh.

Strengthening Conley's numbers at the plate was his record-setting patience. In 190 total plate appearances, the rising senior drew 51 walks, breaking the previous league mark by eight while only striking out 20 times. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Conley, who admitting isn't the fleetest of foot, found himself batting lead-off due to his overwhelming ability to safely reach base. He did so in 40-of-41 games, with the lone exception coming on June 24, when he went 0-for-1 as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning.

"Christ is an on-base machine and he is mature beyond his years," stated Jeff Kunion, president of the PGCBL. "He doesn't waste at-bats and he controls the game from behind the plate. I'm looking forward to watching him play for an MLB organization next summer."

The Derby, N.Y., native, however, was not only able to earn a plethora of free passes from opposing pitchers, but he also flexed his muscles and displayed tremendous pop in his bat. Conley registered 13 doubles and launched five home runs, ranking among the top five in the league in both categories.

For the second year in a row, Conley started for the West Division in the annual PGCBL All-Star Game. He was also recognized as the Week 1 Player of the Week, a prelude to the incredible season he would go on to record. Over the course of his two seasons as a Jammer, he amassed a combined 85 hits, including 20 doubles and eight homers, to go along with 69 runs, 52 RBIs and a whopping 93 walks.

"I am so proud of Christ," Jamestown head coach Anthony Barone said. "He has been a mainstay in our lineup over the past two seasons. He is a winner and always puts the team first. I'm glad he can enjoy this award, being recognized as the most valuable player in the PGCBL. His numbers speak for themselves, along with the fact that he was the backbone on a first-place team."

Barone added, "He will get his chance at professional baseball and he proved himself these past two seasons. He was the head of the class this season in one of the premier leagues in the country."

In his junior season, Conley played in 54 game for the Griffs, starting 53. He saw time behind the plate and as the designated hitter, finishing just a shade under .300 for the campaign with his .299 batting average in 157 at-bats. He carried over his plate discipline into his summer season, as he led the Blue and Gold in OBP (.468), walks (34) and hit-by pitch (20). Behind the dish, Conley recorded 249 put outs while also throwing out 11 on the base paths.

The Canisius baseball program ended the 2017 regular season as the No. 3 seed in the MAAC, finishing the year with an overall record of 34-20 and boasting a 16-8 mark in conference play.

PGCBL Player of the Year Award Winners
2017: Christ Conley (Jamestown) – Canisius
2016: Joe Genord (Amsterdam) – South Florida
2015: Christian Santisteban (Elmira) – Manhattan
2014: Josh Gardiner (Amsterdam) – Radford
2013: John Nogowski (Amsterdam) – Florida State
2012: Ross Kivett (Glens Falls) – Kansas State
2011: Erick Gaylord (Watertown) – Campbell

About the PGCBL
The Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League is a 13-team summer collegiate baseball league in Upstate New York. Since its inaugural season in 2011, the PGCBL – which annually draws talent from some of the best NCAA, NAIA, and junior college programs – has quickly evolved into the premier wood bat league in the state of New York, while becoming one of the most widely respected summer leagues in the country. The PGCBL is affiliated with Perfect Game, the nation's largest independent amateur scouting bureau. Last year, there were more than 1,500 players in the pros who either wore the uniform of a PGCBL team or participated in a Perfect Game event. For more information, please visit www.pgcbl.com.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Christ Conley: C; 6' 1"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#13 Christ Conley
: 6' 1"; Senior
: C

Players Mentioned

#13 Christ Conley

Players Mentioned

#13 Christ Conley