Jayson Langfels, a former Eastern Kentucky University All-American, a 2010 draft pick of the Colorado Rockies and a native of Lexington, rejoined the Colonel baseball program as a volunteer assistant coach in July of 2018.
Langfels served as EKU’s director of baseball operations during the 2016 season. In 2018, he was the team’s graduate assistant and director of player development.
In his new role, Langfels will serve as the Colonels’ hitting coach, catching coach and camp coordinator.
“I am humbled to get the opportunity to be a part of the coaching staff here at Eastern Kentucky University,” said Langfels. “EKU holds a very special place in my heart and I am looking forward to serving our players.”
In 2017, Langfels was the varsity assistant coach at Madison Southern High School.
“I am so excited to have Jayson as our new hitting coach,” Head Coach Edwin Thompson said. “To have our players learn from one of the best hitters to ever play at EKU is truly amazing. His ability to develop hitters made this a very easy hire. Having played six years of professional baseball, he knows what it takes to get players to the next level. We are so excited to welcome him, his wife Courtney and their daughter Kennedy to our organization.”
The three-year starter at third base for EKU from 2008 to 2010 was drafted after his junior season in the 16th round by the Rockies and played six seasons in their minor league system. Langfels’ best professional season came in 2012 when he hit .280 with four home runs, 51 RBIs and 44 runs scored for the Class A Advanced Modesto Nuts. A year later he hit 14 home runs for AA Tulsa.
The two-time first team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection broke the league record for career triples by two, finishing with 18.
Langfels was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball after his first season in maroon and white when he hit .304 with four home runs, 37 RBIs and a school single season record eight triples. He was chosen as a second team All-American after hitting .441 with 12 home runs, 72 RBIs, 45 runs and 15 stolen bases as a sophomore in 2009. Langfels posted a .353 batting average with 16 home runs and 52 RBIs as a junior.
His .441 batting average in 2009 is the sixth-best in a single season ever by a Colonel. His 16 home runs in 2010 are the 10th-most and his 72 RBIs in 2009 are the fourth-most in program history.
Less than a year after his collegiate career ended, Langfels was chosen to the EKU All-Century Team in February 2011.
Langfels finished his EKU career with 203 hits, 32 home runs, 161 runs batted in and a .364 batting average. He completed his degree in general studies in health sciences at EKU in December 2014.
In 2014, Langfels was recognized as having the best infield arm in the Texas League and was also rated as the best defensive third baseman.
Langfels was a second team all-state selection after hitting .469 with 33 runs scored and 14 doubles as a senior at Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky.
