Baseball: CV alum Keaton Kringlen makes most of opportunity at BYU

Like many Brigham Young baseball fans expected at the beginning of the 2016 season, a first-year Cougar won the West Coast Conference freshman of the year award. It just wasn’t the freshman they originally thought it would be.

But for those who watched outfielder Keaton Kringlen — who was announced as the league's top freshman on Tuesday — during his days at Canyon View High, it was no surprise he didn’t take long to acclimate to the college game. Because he didn’t take long to adjust to the high school game, either.

“Just watching him growing up, I think everybody knew that he had a chance to play at the next level,” Canyon View coach Jason Jacobsen said.

Kringlen wasn’t just a four-year starter at Canyon View, he was named to the all-state team all four of those years.

“He stepped right in and took off,” Jacobsen said.

He had to wait just a little bit to start this season, but he has taken off in Provo, too.

Kringlen came to BYU not really expecting to have a major role on the team during his first year. The Cougars had two upperclassmen outfielders coming back and had signed one of the top outfielder recruits in the nation in high school All-American Kyle Dean.

“We talked before he left about how tough it would be to maybe crack the lineup with the returners coming back and some of the kids that had singed there,” Jacobsen said. “I remember telling him to be ready because you are going to get a chance. Whether some guys aren’t performing or injury. You never want to see anybody get hurt, but you gotta be ready.”

In the first four weeks of the season, Kringlen saw limited action, but he still tried to stay engaged in the game. He said he would focus on every at bat to try and see what both the pitchers and hitters were doing. He was keeping his mind sharp in case he was called upon.

“I would try to stay focused in the dug out and do the best I could do to stay prepared for when I got to go in,” Kringlen said. “When I got my opportunity, I needed to make sure I was mentally ready for it.”

And in the fourth weekend of the season that opportunity came. During the series against Niagara, Dean went down with an injury, pushing Kringlen into a starting role.

“I knew I could do this good, but I didn’t know that I would this soon,” Kringlen said. “So it was a  little surprising at first, but I’m just happy I got the opportunity.”

How good has Kringlen been?

Heading into the WCC tournament, which started on Thursday, he ranked third in conference in batting average (.368), fourth in on base percentage (.446) and fifth in slugging percentage (.549).

He wasn’t just the top freshman in the conference, he was one of the top players in the whole league. Aside from his freshman honors, Kringlen was also named to the all-conference second team.

Baseball has always been part of Kringlen’s life, and really it’s always been in his blood. His grandfather was invited to play for the Salt Lake Bees. His uncle played for BYU and in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. One cousin played at Southern Utah, while two more played at Dixie.

But, really, it was his late father Bill that gave him the love for the game. Bill Kringlen played baseball at UC Santa Barbara and helped coach at every level in Cedar City. Keaton Kringlen was just 5 years old when his father died from brain cancer, but that was old enough to remember the lessons his dad taught him.

“That’s who I play for is my dad,” Kringlen said. “He taught me this game. He introduced me to this game, from day one. It’s sad, but it’s nice to have someone you know watching over you and protecting you. It’s nice to have my dad up there watching over me.”

Keaton was young, but the memories of his father still live on. Hitting whiffle balls in the backyard, smacking Nerf balls around the house and walking around the golf course together. Keaton simply never wanted to leave his dad's side.

“We did everything together,” Keaton Kringlen said. “He passed away in his bed and I just laid with him all night because I didn’t want to leave him. I just wanted to go play sports with him. I feel like he was a happy guy, and that’s what people always say about me is that I’m always happy. Everyone says I remind them of him so much. I’m honored. I’m glad he’s watching over me.”

Keaton Kringlen often receives text message from his former Canyon View coaches. They are just quick notes of encouragement that say "keep it up" or "you're doing great" or "keep making us proud."

"I have a lot of support from back home and it’s been great," Kringlen said. "I appreciate everyone that’s helped me get this far. I just want to thank everyone for helping me out."

Jacobsen's program has produced a number of college bound players over the years, including Kringlen's fellow BYU Cougar freshman Zach Brinkerhoff. The Canyon View coach gives all the credit to the kids for being goal driven, unselfish and willing to put in the hours to be great. Kringlen embodies all of those things.

That's why, even when he was sitting in the BYU dugout to begin this season, he and his former coach knew he was just an opportunity away from making an impact.

"He was ready if the opportunity presented itself, and sure enough it did and he just took off with it," Jacobsen said. "He’s worked extremely hard for years for this opportunity and he’s ran with it, and we are sure proud of him."

Follow Ryan Miller on Twitter, @millerjryan.