- All
BASEBALL: Lamb and Benedetti walk away with Mr. Baseball
For the second straight year, the Mr. Baseball award for the state of Michigan is a 2-for-1 special.
Over the weekend, Temperance Bedford’s Jackson Lamb and Grosse Pointe South’s Carmen Benedetti were named co-2013 Mr. Baseballs.
Both players are headed for the University of Michigan in the fall.
It’s the fourth time in the past decade that the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association has awarded co Mr. Baseballs. Last year, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett’s Alex Darr and Holt’s Justin Alleman, shared the honor.
Lamb was selected Gatorade Player of the Year for the state back in the spring and chosen in the 20th round of last month’s MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers. Equally deadly on the mound, at the plate or on defense in centerfield, he hit .515 with 42 RBI in the spring and held a 1.35 ERA. His fastball is clocked as high as 95 MPH.
Following a minor-league contract offer from the Rangers, which was said to feature "third-rouud-type" money, Lamb announced he would not be accepting it and playing in the Big 10 at Michigan next spring instead. In the winter, Lamb was a first-team all-state pick on the basketball court, averaging 26 points and 10 rebounds per night.
A lefty first basemen and pitcher that was tabbed a Louisville Slugger All-American, Benedetti broke Grosse Pointe South’s all-time home run record this spring (25). He was a career .480 hitter as a prepster and hit .520 with 35 RBI as a senior.
Benedetti and Lamb each led their respective high school clubs to district titles last month. Lamb’s Temperance Bedford squad won a Class A regional crown
The MHSBCA has handed out a Mr. Baseball award since 1986. Alums of the award include future MLB All-Stars Derek Jeter (Kalamazoo Central) and J.J. Putz (Trenton).
