Former YC Roughrider Kole Calhoun, Recipient of the 2015 Gold Glove

Calhoun, who is the outfielder for the American League Los Angeles Angels, played for Yavapai from 2006-2008 before going on to ASU.

According to Brad Clifford, the Yavapai College Athletic Director, “Cahloun beat out fellow major league outfielders, J.D. Martinez (Detroit), and Josh Reddick (Oakland) for his first Golden Glove Award.”

“The Buckeye native led all American League right fielders in defensive runs saved at six and saw a .989 defensive fielding percentage, which was second best in the AL, and 11 assists, which was 3rd best. Calhoun only had four errors in 357 chances, which also lead the American League for right fielders,” continued Clifford.

Yavapai College, which won the NJCAA West District Championship in 2015, had several Roughriders drafted by the MLB this year, so it’s possible that more will be in pro uniforms in the years to come. 

Willie Calhoun, (who is not Kole Calhoun’s brother), was picked in the 4th round, the highest Roughrider pick since 1986, when Curt Schilling was chosen in the 2nd round by the Boston Red Sox. Calhoun received a congratulatory tweet from Schilling on Twitter when he was drafted.

Willie Calhoun – 4th round – LA Dodgers
Chance Adams – 5th round – NY Yankees
Drew Turbin – 14th round – Baltimore Orioles
Chandler Eden – 17th round – Toronto Blue Jays
Luke Doyle – 20th round – St. Louis Cardinals
Alexis Olmeda – 21st round – AZ Diamondbacks
Tim Arakawa – 23rd round – Los Angeles Angels
Josh Anderson – 38th round – AZ Diamondbacks