This article originally appeared on MLBDraftLeague.com
NEW YORK - The MLB Draft League announced that Williamsport’s James McCoy was named Most Valuable Player of the 2026 second half.
McCoy, 24, had a historic season as he set the all-time single half record with 49 RBI, the highest OPS and slugging percentage across all second-halves in league history with a 1.099 and .640 respectively. The power and production was highlighted by becoming the third player in Draft League history to tally double-digit home runs in one half with 10 on the year as well. McCoy also became the first player to record over 100 total bases in a single half (114) and set the second-half record with 29 extra-base hits and tied first with 16 doubles. Scoring 48 runs as well, he became the first player in league history to eclipse the 40-run mark in one half. McCoy also led the half with 62 hits.
The switch-hitting outfielder’s summer with the Crosscutters had an early start. Appearing in three first-half games before the mid-season break where he went 4-for-8 with six RBI, two doubles and two runs. It set the tone for what was to come as McCoy continued hitting to start the second half with a seven-game streak, including his first home run in the first game. In that first week, he had six RBI and nine runs. His first hitless game didn’t prove to be a true setback as the following day started another streak of five games, started with back-to-back three-hit games, adding two more home runs. At season’s end, McCoy had six separate hit-streaks of at least four games with eight being the longest span across the second half only.
As a run-producer, McCoy drove in at least one run in 26 of the 46 games he appeared in during the second half. In 14 of those games, he delivered multiple RBI, highlighted by a five-RBI game Aug. 21 that included his ninth home run of the summer. His ability to drive in runs also came in the clutch with a sudden death walk-off Aug. 6 off the first pitch of the at-bat with a single to left field.
Named to the MLB Draft League’s All-Second Half Team, the outfielder combined his halves for 55 RBI and 51 runs which brought him within one of tying the single-season record while finishing with an overall OPS of 1.110 would be the all-time lead amongst full season qualified hitters.
On defense, he played 31 games in center field and seven (six starts) at first base. In 142 total chances, he recorded 132 putouts and seven assists while committing three errors and playing part in four double plays, all from first base.
The Port Saint Joe, Fla. native joined the MLB Draft League after his redshirt senior season at Georgia Southern. Playing in all 56 games for the Eagles, McCoy ended with an OPS of .996, hitting .338 with nine home runs and 39 RBI.
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