Seminole State College infielder Caden Powell, of Clinton, was recently named the 2024 NJCAA Division I National Baseball Player of the Year. The last time the SSC Trojans had a national player of the year was in 2008.

Powell had a standout performance this season, achieving a batting average of .502 with 109 hits and 104 RBIs. In 217 at bats, he recorded 32 homeruns, 17 doubles and 7 triples. Powell led the Trojans in runs scored, hits, RBIs, doubles, triples, homeruns and total bases.

“It’s been a distinct pleasure to have the opportunity to coach and develop a relationship with Caden. Caden has great desire, a tremendous work ethic, good habits, intelligence, always prompt and the first to be there and the last to leave, which is a great sign of a leader,” SSC Baseball Head Coach Mack Chambers said. “Caden is trustworthy and dependable; he is someone I trust and admire for his work ethic. He’s even a better teammate. I can’t say enough good things about him. One of the things that impressed me the most is he came in ready to work—not to prove people wrong but to prove people right. This honor couldn’t have been given to a more deserving person.”

Powell was selected as the Week Six NJCAA DI Baseball Player of the Week after hitting .737 with 21 RBI, three homeruns, two grand slams, two triples and two doubles. At the end of the 2024 season, Powell led the nation in RBI, homeruns, and slugging percentage. He was also selected as a NJCAA Division I First-Team All-American, he was named to the Region 2 All-Region Team, and was named the Region 2 Most Valuable Player.

“Caden is the type of baseball player that every institution is striving to sign. Coach Chambers and the SSC coaching staff work hard every day to find players of his caliber,” SSC Athletic Director Leslie Sewell said. “Caden absolutely dominated Region 2 baseball this year with his impressive stats on the field, but we are also proud of his work in the classroom finishing on the Vice Presidents Honor Roll. Caden is very deserving of this honor, and we are very excited to see what the future holds as he continues his impressive baseball journey.”

Powell has signed with Oklahoma State University to continue his academic and athletic career but is projected to be taken in the 2024 MLB Draft.