Baseball America | Perfect Game

By Paul Watley | @WatP7

ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington pitcher Joel Kuhnel was named the top prospect from the Jayhawk League by Baseball America and Perfect Game.

"It means he's shown enough ability here and this summer to garner some attention," UT Arlington coach Darin Thomas said. "He's not the first guy to get this, but he deserves it and always works hard. He really got this attention based on what he was able to do this summer."

The Peoria, Ariz. native spent the summer playing for the Liberal Bee Jays of the Jayhawk league, while compiling a perfect 0.00 ERA in eight relief appearances. Kuhnel pitched in 15 innings for the Bee Jays, notching a 2-0 record with three saves. He was a force on the mound, registering 20 strikeouts, while walking just two batters.

Much of Kuhnel's action came during the Bee Jays magical postseason run that ended with a third place finish at the 2015 NBC World Series. Kuhnel was one of two Bee Jay players to be named to the Perfect Game top five prospects for the Jayhawk League and one of three Liberal players to be named one of Baseball America's top 10 Jayhawk League prospects.

"Joel is a pretty motivated guy anyway," Thomas added. "I don't know that this would be big motivation for him because he already works so hard. It's just something that comes with territory after you have a successful season."

Kuhnel enters his junior season with the Mavericks after a successful 2015 campaign. During his sophomore season with UTA, Kuhnel put together a 3.55 ERA with 45 strikeouts, while walking 18 batters. Kuhnel saw action in 16 games, with 12 of those appearances coming as the Sunday starter for the Mavs.