Coro: Kona known for game, name

In 2016, mlb.com gave Kona Quiggle the "Most Fun Name to Say Out Loud Award."

In 2017, deadpin.com ranked Quiggle fifth on a list of best names in college baseball.

In 2018, baseballamerica.com did the same.

This year, the Grand Canyon outfielder made a name for himself with his game.

The junior took a massive leap that helped GCU have its winningest Division I season ever and boosted his stock as one of several Lopes players who expect to be selected in this week's MLB Draft.

18636 Quiggle went from part-time starter in his first two GCU seasons to the only player besides senior Tyler Wyatt to start every game this season. Quiggle went from hitting .238 and .258 as a freshman and sophomore, respectively, to batting .311 and leading the Lopes in home runs (12) and RBIs (62).

"It definitely makes everything a lot sweeter," Quiggle said. "Going from struggling and being frustrated a lot to where I am now, it's awesome.

"I definitely needed those two years. I don't think I am where I am now if I don't have those two years. It has all been worth it. I've had a great time at GCU. I love it. I wouldn't take it back for anything."

Kona Monroe Quiggle was headed for stardom for more than a cool name, the first name of which came from a bike company (his parents had never been to Hawaii). He grew up hitting off a tee as preschoooler in his Phoenix backyard and later heading to Little League practices for early work with his father, Jeffrey, just as Quiggle has put in extra early work at GCU regularly with Lopes assistant coach Gregg Wallis.

Quiggle played at Greenway High School, also the home of the greatest Lopes player ever – Tim Salmon. His older sister, Scot, attended GCU first and the combination of seeing the university through her eyes and the coaches' recruiting words made it an easy choice over major programs.

Part of what made Lopes head coach Andy Stankiewicz want Quiggle to come to GCU was his enthusiastic demeanor. He watched how Quiggle sprinted on and off the field, high-fived teammates and stayed boisterous in the dugout.

And then he did not hit or play as much as he hoped for two seasons. It quelled Quiggle's spirit and his inconsistency did not merit more opportunities.

When Quiggle headed to Alaska Summer League, his father told him, "This is going to be your year." It became Quiggle's mindset and he regained confidence by hitting .315 for Mat-Su.

"We sat down in the fall and I said, 'More than anything else, I want to see the Kona we recruited out on the field -- the Kona that was a leader, that wasn't afraid to speak up, that was an encourager with his teammates,' " Stankiewicz said. "With success, you feel like you can speak more and be bold. He started having success and the Kona we recruited stood out in front more and led the charge.

"It all came together for him. It's cool to see a young man who works so hard have a great season and put himself in a great position for the draft. We're really excited for what he's been able to accomplish for himself."

Quiggle tripled and homered in his first two at bats of the season against Wichita State, a game that drew 4,562 fans to GCU Ballpark. He previously hit one home run in 146 at bats.

"That was definitely like a 'Oh, yeah, I can do this thing. I can make this happen,' " Quiggle said.

With the most home runs by a GCU player since 2005 and most RBIs by a Lope since 1994, Quiggle became a top-100 hitting prospect, according to d1baseball.com. Quiggle hit two home runs against Utah and hit two home runs during the WAC Tournament.

"I changed my mindset and got more confident," Quiggle said. "I just grooved into who I knew I was and who I'd been while playing baseball the last 10 years."

Follow Paul Coro on Twitter: @paulcoro.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Kona Quiggle

Tyler Wyatt

Related Videos