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Spotlight Player of the Week
Kellen Kulbacki
James Madison Universtiy
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 Junior
James Madison Dukes outfielder Kellen Kulbacki had of one
of the most productive offensive seasons in college baseball
in 2006 - not just of the year, but of all time. He led the
nation walloping home runs (24), was second in batting average
(.464) and had 75 RBIs (tied seventh nationally – only
four from second). In addition he ran out 17 doubles, swiped
13 stolen bases, tied for second nationally with 183 total
bases and led the NCAA with a slow pitch softball-esque .949
slugging percentage.
Kulbacki was the first James Madison player to earn First
Team All-America honors at the Division I level. He was one
of five semifinalists for the Dick Howser Trophy by the National
Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and a finalist for
the Brooks Wallace Award from the College Baseball Foundation
as well. He won the 2006 Player of the Year in the Colonial
Athletic Association, the Virginia Sports Information Directors
State Player of the Year and shared the title of National
Co-Player of the Year by the Collegiate Baseball with Cal
State Fullerton pitcher Wes Roemer.
Following James Madison’s disappointing loss to Virginia
Commonwealth in the Colonial Athletic Conference Championship
Tournament, Kulbacki went to compete with the best collegiate
players in the country in the Cape Cod League with the Cotuit
Kettlers. Kulbacki only hit a disappointing .240 in the pitching
strong league, but his seven home runs tied him for fourth.
The Dukes went 38-21 in 2006, wining the regular season Colonial
Athletic Association crown, largely due to Kulbacki’s
bat. He is one of 17 returning James Madison letter winners.
However, JMU’s two other big run producers from last
season’s lineup, 3B/1B Nate Schill (.419 BA, 14 HR,
68 RBI) and 2B/SS Michael Cowgill (.291, 23, 62) are not on
the team anymore. As such Kulbacki likely won’t see
as many good pitches to hit without them to protect him. Duplicating
his monster 2006 season and making another run at a triple
crown (Indiana's Mike Smith was the last to capture the crown
in 1992 and the only player to do so since 1965) will not
come easy.
Despite his gaudy numbers Kulbacki still looks to improve
his game. He set up a meeting with sports psychologist and
talks to her regularly to help maintain a healthy mental approach
to baseball. He is also striving to improve his base stealing
and arm strength. Improving those areas will likely boost
Kulbacki’s Major League Baseball’s amateur draft
changes at the end of the season, meaning 2007 could be the
last year he won’t be getting paid to play the games
he loves – and excels at -so much.
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