You voted for Middle Georgia’s top baseball player this year. Here’s the winner.

Joshua Vinson of Rutland High School is the winner of The Telegraph’s poll for the top baseball player in Middle Georgia this year, as decided by fans.

Vinson batted .353 this year in his senior season, but his stolen bases stood out among his statistics: he had 33 steals in 24 games played. He hit 25 singles, 12 doubles and three home runs. He also had 31 RBIs, according to MaxPreps.

Vinson is ranked in the top 350 nationally and 22nd in Georgia for stolen bases. He is ranked in the top 60 in Georgia for runs and top 85 in Georgia for home runs.

Vinson said being voted baseball player of the year is an incredible honor.

“It feels great to be recognized for outstanding performance and dedication to the game,” he said. “I’ve put in hard work, sweat, and tears over the years, and knowing that my talent has been acknowledged by my peers, fans, coaches, and others makes me very proud. I feel so blessed and thankful.”

Vinson said he will be attending Georgia Southern University in the fall majoring in criminal justice and minoring in cyber security.

Darryl Silas, Rutland High School athletic director, said throughout the season, Vinson’s dedication and skill set a standard for excellence on the team.

“I am incredibly proud to see Joshua Vinson being recognized as Baseball Player of the Year. Winning Player of the Year is a testament to Joshua’s hard work and commitment to the sport. His leadership both on and off the field was invaluable to our baseball team’s success,” he said. “I am honored that Joshua has been named Player of the Year. His consistent performance and ability to rise to the occasion in critical moments his senior year were instrumental in our achievements this season.”

Vinson said although there were many memorable moments during his time on the team, including making the playoffs and ranking No. 2 in the region, the moment he is most proud of is hitting his first home run.

“My adrenaline was rushing for sure as I jogged around the bases. After I made it to home plate looking at my mom smiling as she was screaming with tears of joy rolling down her face, because she knew that hitting a home run was a goal of mine,” he said. “That same game I hit another home run. My goal was accomplished - I was so proud of myself as my mom was too.”

We invited the Middle Georgia community to nominate a baseball player for this poll. Among the five nominees, Vinson received 68% of the votes.

We also asked the community to nominate a softball player for The Telegraph Softball Player of the Year, which was won by a fellow Rutland High School student athlete.