Pearl River’s Keys Named Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winner

Pearl River Catcher Jacob Keys was selected to the 2025 NJCAA Division II Gold Glove Team on Wednesday afternoon, announced by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Keys turned in an incredible season on both sides of the ball. He recorded a .333 batting average along with a .490 on-base percentage and a .582 slugging percentage. On defense, Keys did not make a single error across 454 total chances, along with catching 15 runners stealing and having just six balls pass him.

Keys becomes the fourth Gold Glove winner in school history, joining Blaise Breerwood (2023), Luke Lyon (2023) and Dalton Cummins (2021). PRCC head coach Michael Avalon gave his props to Keys after he won the award.

“This is an incredible accomplishment and a true testament to Jacob’s consistency, toughness and commitment to excellence behind the plate,” Avalon said. “No position touches the baseball every game more, and to be recognized as the best defensive catcher in the country is something truly special.”

Keys adds to his list of accolades for the 2025 season, having already taken home First Team All-MACCC, All-Region 23 and NJCAA Second Team All-America. He has signed with Southeastern Louisiana where he will continue his college baseball career.

Author administrator Kellen Walker