As the summer progresses, several college players play in professional summer leagues to showcase their talent after college seasons end in the spring. With many talented players playing in these leagues, we look at some of the top international talent in the Cape Cod League. Playoffs are set to get underway, so let’s take a look at some of the top international talent that will take the diamond:
Blake Cavill- Hyannis Harbor Hawks
Western Kentucky University freshman Blake Cavill was born in Australia. In 58 games with WKU, he hit eight home runs and 47 RBIs with a .313 average. Following in the footsteps of Travis Bazzana, 2024 marks Cavill’s first year playing in the Cape Cod League. The first baseman, also a native of Sydney, played in 14 games with the Harbor Hawks, hitting two homers but only mustering a .186 batting average.
Paul Schmitz-Hyannis Harbor Hawks
Hailing from Germany, Schmitz is currently a sophomore at the University of Houston. He struggled during his spring season, posting an 8.62 ERA in 15 relief appearances. He’s looked much better in 3 games with the Harbor Hawks, posting a 1-1 record in 3 games, a 4.50 ERA, and striking out nine batters in 6 innings of work. Schmitz’s family used to live in Seattle, where he and his siblings started playing baseball. When he moved back to Germany, he did everything he could to play for local teams.
Itsuki Takemoto- Orleans Firebirds
Takemoto, a reliever from Japan, just wrapped up his freshman season at the University of Hawaii. He threw in 20 games, making three starts, pitching to a 3-1 record, posting a 4.10 ERA, striking out 37 batters. But he’s been on an absolute tear in Cape Cod this summer. Appearing in 9 games and making two starts, Takemoto threw to a 0.71 ERA, striking out 23 batters and only walking seven—the challenge for him with adjusting to baseball in the United States. “The style of baseball is different in Japan. They use smaller baseballs, and a lot of bunting and hitting are involved. Here, everyone hits well. So, it’s hugely different,” said Takemoto on adjusting to the college baseball and Cape Cod scene.
Charles Davalan- Cotiut Kettleers
This season, more Canadian baseball players are appearing in the Cape Cod league. Davalan recently transferred from Florida Gulf Coast University to Arkansas State. The freshman from Waterloo, Canada, had a tremendous season at Florida Gulf Coast, batting .288, mashing ten home runs, and 37 RBIs in 56 games. In the Cape this season, Davalan hit .242, hitting one home run and 11 RBI in 21 games played with the Kettleers. Davalan spent most of his time playing center field with Cotiut, but he is also a second baseman.
Conor Baxter- Y-D Red Sox
He might not be playing anymore, but assistant coach of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, Conor Baxter, had an interesting journey into the Cape Cod league. Baxter was born in Great Britain. His love and passion for the game set him apart from the rest. Baxter’s career took him to play at Transylvania University, where he played in parts of three seasons and went 0-6 in three seasons there. When asked what it means to represent Great Britain, he smiled and said, “The opportunity gives me a unique perspective on baseball; seeing high-level talent every day and working with them is a privilege. It just proves that there’s a pathway from there. Our head coach always emphasized that you can make it from anywhere, and being able to do that is pretty sweet.”
Every athlete has a different journey, with several players from many different areas worldwide. It has been great to see the adjustments these players have made to compete in the Cape Cod League, facing whatever difficulties they had in the past to get to where they are today. These lessons help players and fans continue to strive for success for the next generation of international baseball talent to follow for years to come.
Photo Credit: Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame and Museum, memorabilia. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
