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by James Dyer, originally published on AdelaideGiants.com.au

An Adelaide Giant and South Australian Max Stagg is off to a fantastic start to his junior college (JUCO) season with Division 1 Central Arizona. It’s his first full-season in the program.

In 17 games so far this season, Max has been impressive on both sides of the plate.

Max has recorded 16 hits with four doubles, two HR’s and six RBI. He has showed great discipline at the plate with only 10 strikeouts to eight walks.

Max has also been elite in the field getting 19 put outs from 19 chances.

His breakout season comes after he was “red-shirted” in 2024, meaning he was with the active roster but not able to play games.

Stagg says it taught him valuable lessons.

James Dyer from AdelaideGiants.com.au recently spoke with Max and asked him how being a redshirt last season prepared him for this season.

“I developed a different level of discipline and grit,” says Stagg. “Waking up to do 6:00AM workouts with [fellow Australian] Nick Bertucci even when I didn’t feel like it.”

He says the little details allowed him to develop tremendously, which gave him great confidence in returning to play games.

Max says he really focused on getting value from each and every rep at practise and credited this to his readiness for the season.

There’s also been a positional change.

Stagg moved to centrefield. It’s a new experience, one he says he finds exciting.

“I’ve focused heavily on developing my defensive abilities,” says Stagg.

Max has been working closely with Coach Isaiah Overman both on his outfield defence and offence approach, stating Overman’s care and understanding have allowed him to be successful on both sides of the ball.

 

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Max credits his growth and development as a player and person to many.

The West Torrens baseball club, and Riley Moore helped Max find ‘love for the game.’ He credits the Adelaide Giants and Coach ‘Tank’ Adamson too.

“They have supported me and helped me develop in a high-performing, professional environment,” says Stagg.

Many others have been crucial to Max’s success including Baseball Australia, and the Australian Athletic Centre.

More recently Sean Cashman (Head Coach, Central Arizona) has played a big mentor role for Max.

“I’ve gained so much from his expertise about the game, he allows me to play the game with freedom and confidence. I can’t thank him and the rest of the Central AZ coaching staff enough for the opportunity to be a Vaquero every single day,” says Stagg.

Max and Central Arizona have high National Championship hopes this season. As of the time of this article, the team is 14-9.

Max says his goals are to win it all.

“I want nothing more than to win a national championship,” says Stagg. “I believe we’ve got the talent, work ethic, and culture to do it.”

He went on to say on a personal level, he’d love to be recognized with both ACCAC All-Conference Selection and NJCAA First Team Academic All-American Selection.

Some long-term goals for the 20-year-old are to play NCAA Division I baseball with the final goal of being drafted and having an opportunity to play professional baseball.

Alongside this, Max hopes to earn future opportunities with Team Australia Baseball at the U23 and senior levels.

Max has some advice for young ball players looking to play college baseball.

“It won’t be easy, and you’ll face adversity along the way, but it’ll be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do,” he says.

We look forward to watching Max and will monitor his development and growth closely over the coming years.

New South Wales utility man Cal Fingleson has committed to Tyler Junior College, a school in Texas.

He’ll head over to the USA in June to player ‘Summer Ball’ before starting classes in August.

“It just felt right,” says Fingleson. “When I visited schools [in the USA]…Tyler seemed like the best place for me to grow into the player and person I want to become and help me move on to the next level.”

“From the coaches to the players to the facilities there was a sense of professionalism mixed with a fun environment that made it feel like the perfect place to call home.”

Fingleson started his baseball journey at the Ku-Ring-Gai Steelers before moving to Pittwater, North Sydney Bears and finally the Cronulla Giants.

His father, Gavin, won an Olympic Silver Medal while playing for Team Australia at the 2004 Olympics.

“My dad and grandpa have influenced my career massively,” says Cal. “Hearing stories of my dad’s career and his achievements, and still being able to watch him play, has motivated and inspired me to pursue a career in this sport. I’m lucky to have someone like him in my life. My grandfather has influenced me in so many ways as well from being my number one supporter through success and failures and driving to the end of the earth to watch me play, never missing a game or practice.”

Fingleson played for New South Wales at the 2022 Australian Youth Championships. Unfortunately, in his final year of eligibility, he missed the 2024 U18 Australian Youth Championships due to injury.

He had a chance to play in front of scouts and college coaches at the 2024 Perfect Game Tournament, representing Team Australia in Florida.

“Missing out on those AYCs was very difficult for me but those failures and injuries allowed me to sharpen my mentality and work even harder for the Perfect Game tournament,” says Fingleson. “This prepared me both physically and mentally and allowed me to prove that I can compete at the same level as the top teams in the states.”

Fingleson is a player who leaves it all out on the field.

“I’m a player that’ll work until my legs fall off. I believe I am able to grind out long and tough at bats whilst being a tough out at the plate,” he says. “In the field I am able to field any ball hit to or near me with extensive range and I play with an unmatched intensity and grit.”

He plays strong defense, can hit for average and plays for speed.

He says he’s hoping to increase his arm strength and power hitting while away at college.

“I see myself developing both in the weight room and on the field every single day,” says Fingleston. “My goal is to become a better play when I walk off the field or weight room than the player who walked in and with that mentality there is no ceiling for anyone. 1% better everyday.”

Congratulations, Cal!

Do you have a college story we should know about? Email me at eric.balnar@baseball.com.au. 

MORE STORIES

• Team Australia outfielder Briley Knight signs with Billings Mustangs
• South Australian Flynn McKee commits to Galveston College in Texas
• Team Australia invites 29 players to 2025 Under 18 National Team Selection Camp
• Ben Karakasis becomes latest Australian to commit to Galveston College

A second Australian in as many weeks has committed to Galveston College, a junior college (JUCO) in Texas.

South Australian utility man Flynn McKee will head to the United States in August, 2025.

He joins Ben Karakasis, a pitcher from New South Wales, and fellow South Aussie Nic Paparella at the Texas-based school.

McKee brings some pedigree to junior college. The 19-year-old has been playing Division I baseball in South Australia with Port Adelaide Magpies since he was 14-years-old.

McKee won the 2024 U18 National Championship Golden Bat as the top offensive performer in the tournament.

“Choosing Galveston just felt right,” says McKee. “I had many conversations with coach Ryne Edmondson and got a good feel of the competition and level I’d be playing at.”

Edmondson scouted Mckee, and other Australians, at the MLB International Showcase event in Arizona before following them across to Florida for the Team Australia trip to ensure he got to speak with the players and families that he wanted to recruit.

“I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet Coach Edmondson in person and I liked the way he went about things,” says McKee. “I felt we had similar opinions and outlooks on my future development. I felt like it was a place where I could develop.”

The McKee name has been prevalent in the Australian baseball community. Flynn is hitting .329 with 15 RBI through 22-games with Port Adelaide in the South Australia Division I competition.

His brother Tyson just won a Claxton Shield while pitching for the Canberra Cavalry.

Flynn says Baseball South Australia’s performance pathways coach Austin Gallagher has been a huge influence on his career.

“He has not only helped me fix my mechanics over the years but has also helped me understand the game better on the mental side,” says Flynn.

McKee has a big frame and can drive the ball to all parts of the field. He is a solid infielder with an arm that can zip it across the diamond.

McKee plays first, third and corner outfield. Now, he hopes to take his game to the next level at college.

“I’d have to say my biggest strength is my bat. I feel I can hit the ball to all parts of the field with authority and can adjust to off-speed pitches. I also think my mental side of the game is strong. I feel I read plays pretty well and have a good sense of what’s coming next,” says McKee.

He says opportunities in the high-performance department of the Australian Baseball system helped develop him as a player.

“Without events like the Australian Youth Championships, the U18 Australian team and the Arizona Fall Series, I would not have the opportunities I do today. They played a massive part in not only my development but also getting my name out there. It gave me the ability to show my skills in a competitive environment in front of people all around the world,” says McKee.

Above: McKee with his parents while representing Australia in October 2024 in the USA

Now he has a chance to take his game to the next level at Galveston.

“Having  the opportunity to be competitive and train & play everyday with players at a high level will do leaps and bounds in my development,” says McKee. “I would like to become a better fielder while I’m away. Not only would I like to be more consistent at 3rd but I’d also like to have the ability to play multiple positions well.”

Congratulations, Flynn! We will be following your journey with great interest.

For more college stories, click here.

MORE NEWS

• Ben Karakasis becomes latest Australian to commit to Galveston College
• Team Australia invites 29 players to 2025 Under 18 National Team Selection Camp
• Here’s how Australians are faring in the US College Baseball system | February 2025 Update

The 2025 American college baseball season is in full-swing. We are one month into the junior college year and about three weeks into the NCAA season.

I’ve scavenged the internet and updated you on some big performances.

Please note, this list is not a complete list of every Australian in the system, simply big performances I’ve noticed. If I missed someone I apologise – it’s not easy keeping track. Please email me at eric.balnar@baseball.com.au if you have any updates I should be aware of.

Make sure you follow us at Baseball.com.au on social media for highlights and updates.

There are over 100 Australians playing baseball in the college system at varying levels including a record 24 at the NCAA Division 1 level. 

Stay tuned for more commitments.

NCAA Division I

Blake Cavill (NSW), Troy – A torrid start. In seven games, he is 13-for-26 with 12 RBI and eight walks. He has a .611 on-base percentage.

Chase Diggins (WA), Kansas – Hitting .320 in his first seven games of the season with three runs batted in.

Ben Fierenzi (VIC), Long Island State – Third on the team with a .286 average through seven games.

Brent Iredale (NSW), Arkansas – Hitting .375 with two homers and 10 RBI in his first seven games at Division I level.

Conor Myles (VIC), Texas San Antonio – In 10.2 innings, Myles has yet to allow a run. He has ten strikeouts and opponents are hitting .194 off of him.

Jimmy Nati (NSW), Stanford – Hitting .364 in eight games with six RBI to begin the season.

Cayden Nicoletto (WA), Missouri – In three games, Nicoletto is 3-for-10 with an RBI.

Zak Skinner (VIC), Lamar – The catcher is hitting .300 in nine games. He hit his first homer of the year this week and has seven RBI. He’s also thrown out four runners.

Keenan Spence (VIC), Purdue – Hitting .320 with an OPS of 1.057 in eight games.

Jarryd Wood (VIC), Pacific – A 1.59 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 5.2 innings pitched.

NCAA Division II

Max Mrakovic, (NSW) Arkansas Monticello – A 4.00 ERA in his four starts (18 innings) with a 1.22 WHIP.

Brock Wollin, (QLD) Emmanuel – Hitting .333 in 15 games with three homers and a team leading 25 RBI.

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

Brett Allen (NSW), Reinhardt – A 2.92 ERA in six games so far across 12.1 innings.

Darcy Barry (SA), Dakota State – Hit his first homer of his NAIA career on February 24 in a game vs fellow South Aussie Sean Maple at Mid-America Nazarene.

Trent Buchanan (ACT), Campbellsville – Hitting .348 in his first nine games of the season.

Kailen Hamson (QLD), Cumberlands – In 12.2 innings, Hamson has a 2.84 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP. He’s started three games this year.

Riley Light (VIC), Cumberland – He is 5-for-10 with a homer and three walks to start his senior year.

Sean Maple (SA), Mid-America Nazarene – Hit homers in back-to-back games on February 24 & 25, upping his average to .261.

Ethan Stacy (NSW), Bushnell – Hitting .279 with two homers and 7 RBI in 11 games.

JUNIOR COLLEGE (JUCO)

Bronson Neave (VIC), Arizona Western – Second on his team in average with a .350 mark in 18 games. He has one homer and 21 RBI while reaching base in eleven straight.

Max Stagg (SA), Central Arizona – Hitting .316 in 13 games so far with a homer and five RBI.

Blake Barlow (QLD), Clarendon – In his last appearance (Feb 23), Barlow threw 3.2 innings allowing on hit with six strikeouts.

Tom Chessell (QLD), Clarendon – Third on the team among players with at least 30 at-bats with a .289 mark.

Flynn McGahan (WA), Colby – 3.0 scoreless innings on the season.

Will Page-Allen (ACT), Feather River – In seven appearances and 9.0 innings, Page-Allen has allowed just two runs with 12 strikeouts.

Charlie Pierson (VIC), Frank Phillips – Leads his team in innings pitched (20.0) while compiling a 3.60 ERA across his four starts.

Nic Paparella (SA), Galveston – Hit a three run homer in his last game out, his second of the season.

Raul Romero (QLD), Hillsborough – 2.0IP with 5K

Lachlan Rosser (NSW), Hutchison – A 1.35 ERA in 6.2 innings pitched with an outstanding 12 strikeouts

Owen Glover (NSW), McCook – Hit his first homer last week and is hitting .273 on the season through nine games

Callum Donnelly (NSW), New Mexico – Hitting .292 through eight games with three stolen bases.

Cam Landy (WA), National Park – On a four game hit streak, hitting .273 for the season and hit a homer in his first college game.

Quinn Johnson (NSW), Pratt – Leads his team with a .457 average in 12 games with two homers and 5 RBI. He has hits in ten straight.

Oscar Hyde (QLD), Tacoma Community College – One earned run in his 2.2 innings pitched.

Josh Ashen (VIC), Vernon – Second on his team with 16.1 innings pitched. He has a 6.06 ERA but a wildly good 17.08 strikeout per nine innings mark after tallying a team leading 31 punch outs and counting.

Koby Chesterton (ACT), Vernon – A 3.60 ERA in 5.0 innings this season.

Travis Finney (VIC), Yakima – Batting average on the rise, hitting .286 so far on this young season.