Lopes trio set for Appalachian League

Grand Canyon baseball players Tayler Aguilar, Homer Bush Jr. and Cal Lambert are bound for the Appalachian League this summer in a reboot season for the newly formatted league. The Lopes trio earned the selection as "rising freshmen and sophomores" and will represent the GCU program among the nation's elite.

"The Appalachian League has long been known to rising stars in minor league baseball," Lopes head coach Andy Stankiewicz said. "It will now be known as a summer collegiate league that will develop young and upcoming college players and provide an experience they will never forget. GCU Baseball is honored to have our players participate in this prestigious league."

Established in 1911 and one of the longest-standing baseball leagues, the Appalachian League transitions from a rookie-level Minor League Baseball league to a collegiate summer baseball format because of the recent consolidation of minor league clubs. It is part of Major League Baseball and USA Baseball Prospect Development Pipeline, a collaborative effort that establishes a player development pathway for amateur baseball players in the U.S.

Aguilar and Lambert made collegiate debuts in the shortened 2020 season.

Aguilar, an outfielder, led Lopes freshmen with five hits on the year. An impactful performance came on March 3 against New Mexico, where he either drove in or scored four of the Lopes' five runs in a GCU victory.

Lambert was a key piece of GCU's 2020 rotation, earning eight appearances and a pair of starts in the season's 18 games. The left-hander turned in five straight scoreless appearances to kick off his career.

Bush, also an outfielder, joined the Lopes program this fall as a notable incoming freshman with a Major League bloodline in his father, Homer Bush Sr.

Appalachian League Opening Day is slated for June 2. The inaugural season will include 54 games, a midseason All-Star Game and a championship game slated for August 10. The league's 10 teams span Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

GCU's season is set to get underway on Feb. 19.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Tayler Aguilar

Homer Bush Jr.

Cal Lambert

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