Barton Community College shortstop Federico Castagnini recently received honorable mention All-American status in NJCAA Division I baseball.
The Verona, Italy, native added to his postseason hardware as he also was a first-team All-Region VI and Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Western Division selection.
“I felt like without him, we wouldn’t have been as good as we were,” longtime Barton head coach Mike Warren said of the Creighton University signee.
During his sophomore season, Castagnini led the Cougars in batting average (.361), hits (75), home runs (6), doubles (16) and runs batted in (67).
“He ranked fourth in the country in RBIs, and to be named as an honorable mention All-American is something he deserved.
“He probably deserved a little more mention than that. He was the best shortstop in the region, and he proved it.”
Castagnini finished with a .563 slugging percentage, was 12-for-12 in stolen bases, scored 61 runs and finished with four triples as being one of the conference’s top all-around players.
“I know that’s what Creighton saw,” Warren said. “Creighton’s only concern was whether he was going to get drafted and not get there. He wasn’t drafted, and I think he’s done a great job handling that.
“I think he needs to get a lot stronger and that’s what I told him after his freshman year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he someday makes it to the big leagues after his days at Creighton.”