The second annual honors a Colorado senior baseball player who embodies excellence on the diamond, in the classroom and in his community. Here are the five finalists for the 2026 award, in alphabetical order.
The winner, who will be announced next week, receives a trophy, a $1,000 scholarship, an honorary luncheon, and recognition at a Colorado Rockies game.
Position: RHP/MIF GPA: 4.02 College: Vanderbilt
The Raiders’ centerpiece helped the program reach four straight Class 5A state tournaments, including three consecutive title games, as Regis Jesuit returned to the mountaintop with a championship this year. Alpert batted .449 with 33 RBIs, 12 doubles, four homers and a .500 on-base percentage this spring. He returned pitching midseason from elbow surgery and posted a 1.91 ERA in seven games, with a 1.98 career ERA in 38 games. He put in 127 hours through Regis Jesuit’s community service program, including volunteering at the Denver Rescue Mission and serving as a buddy in the Miracle League.
Position: SS GPA: 4.26College: Navy
Carver led the Panthers to the Class 3A state tournament during a season in which he dominated in all three phases. He hit .580 with 46 RBIs, 13 doubles, four triples and seven homers with a .649 on-base percentage. A career .501 hitter, the speedster who won Intermountain League Player of the Year multiple times finished with 105 stolen bases over four seasons. He volunteered as a youth baseball coach at a local assisted living home and at his elementary school, where he handled various tasks, projects, and fundraisers. He also tutored fellow students and was an assistant athletic trainer at MCHS.
Position: RHP/1B/OF GPA: 4.0 College: McLennan Community College
Jaquez was the headliner on a Falcons team that returned to the Class 4A state tournament and finished runner-up to Pueblo County. A dominating arm with a low-90s heater and a plus sider, Jaquez was capable of shutting down any lineup he faced. He could also rake, as evidenced by his .620 average, 45 RBIs, 20 doubles, three homers and a .682 on-base percentage. He had 56 Ks as a pitcher and just five as a hitter. He helped create a stronger culture within the Falcon program, including serving as a mentor and role model to younger players on the team and participating in school activities.
Position: 3B/1B/RHP GPA: 4.17 College: Arkansas State University Mid-South
Durango made consecutive Class 4A state tournament appearances behind the play and leadership of Romero, a pillar in the lineup and corner infield for the Demons who also contributed on the mound. Romero batted .412 with 23 RBIs and a .479 one-base percentage, and finished his career with a .409 average plus a 4.85 ERA in 35 games. His impact beyond the diamond was profound: Romero founded the school’s Unified Sports Club, serves on the leadership team for the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is heavily involved with DECA, and has tutored his peers in financial literacy.
ʴDzپDz:ұʴ:4.1DZ:Wake Forest
The Wolves’ ace with a 100-mph heater is a Top 100 prospect entering next month’s MLB Draft, when he may have the chance to bypass Wake Forest to go straight to the pro ranks. He had a 2.10 ERA in nine games in 2026, including two complete games and a no-hitter against Mullen. Opponents hit just .159 against him as he racked up 66 strikeouts to only 14 walks. He also hit .467 with 13 RBIs in 34 plate appearances. Wachsmann volunteered at youth baseball camps for two local clubs and helped the Wolves’ coaching staff organize camps at Grandview.
Honorable Mention
These players also received votes from the award’s 15-member selection committee: Zach Mediavilla, RHP/OF/SS, The Classical Academy; Matthew Hegerle, SS, Bear Creek (UC Davis); Peter Worth, C, Northfield (Washington University in St. Louis); Brayden Reiner, C/RHP, Arvada West (Newman University); Sawyer Tipton, RHP, Mountain Vista (Lehigh University); Ben McLean, SS/RHP, Forge Christian (Colby Community College); Hunter Howard, SS/RHP, Palisade (Glendale Community College); Christian Ramirez, SS/RHP, Adams City (Northwestern Community College); Hazen Weber, LHP/1B/OF, Platte Valley (York University).
