Kyle Schupman of the Crosscutters throws out Luke Stulga of West Virginia during the 4th inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

It can be difficult to make an impression on fans in the MLB Draft League.

With a steady rotation of players bouncing in and out of the lineup and rotation, even stellar athletes can get lost in the fold of a rapid 80-game season. Even those that do become cult heroes of Williamsport, it takes weeks of showing up and showing out in order to draw a particular favor to the Crosscutters’ rabid fanbase.

But for third baseman Kyle Schupmann, it only took a few innings on defense in order to become a familiar name.

During their opening series in early June against the reigning champion West Virginia Black Bears, Schupmann’s range, quick first step, and throwing power in the hot corner dazzled spectators and bewildered batters looking for a quick single.

In total, Schupmann went a perfect eight for eight on putouts throughout the three-game series to open the year, with a majority of grounders far from routine.

“To me, that’s my bread and butter,” said Schupmann prior to Tuesday’s contest against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. “Hitting is hard at times, and defence to me is something that kind of always helps me get through it, and it helps you in the lineup when things aren’t going well at the plate.”

The hot corner infielder comes to Williamsport by way of Geneva, Illinois, with Schupmann having spent his last two college years representing his state school Fighting Illini.

Spending his first two seasons with Cincinnati, the now redshirt junior has started all 107 games across two seasons with Illinois. Primarily stationed at third base in the field, Schupmann has compiled a .285 average with 42 extra base hits, 60 walks, 68 runs batted in, and 18 stolen bases with the Fightin’ Illini.

With Williamsport, his defensive aptitude set the platform for Schupmann’s offensive production. After a slow first couple games against West Virginia, the third game of the series was the Illinois native’s coming out party, going two for four with a run batted in and a run scored.

Schupmann would not stop from there. Heading into the new week, and the Illinois infelder ranks in the top three of the Williamsport ballclub in OPS (.862), walks (8), and stolen bases (7), while leading the Cutters in batting average with a .323 mark that ranks fourth amongst qualified hitters in the Draft League.

The hitting improvements have coincided with Williamsport finding more success as a whole, with the Crosscutters having won five wins of their last six games going into Tuesday’s series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

The in form Schupmann would be hard to miss in the midweek series, batting first in Tuesday’s game in what would be seventh straight contest the third baseman gets the bats started.

“(It’s about) just getting on base,” echoed Schupmann on being at the top of the order. “Passing the stick to the next guy. I think that’s been the biggest thing. Hopefully try to steal a bag or two and help get the offense moving early in the game.”

The Crosscutters are back at home for a six-game homestead beginning Tuesday, where Williamsport will play host to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and the New MLB Draft League ballclub in the Aberdeen Ironbirds.

There, spectators will see dozens of athletes similar to Schupmann, with the goal of professional ball the closest the athletes have ever gotten to.

But for the Illinois infielder with a year of eligibility, it allows Schupmann to play with his food as he continues to produce and contemplate his future.

“I obviously want to win,” concluded Schupmann. “That’s why you play the game, you want to win at the highest possible level. But I’m also hoping for the opportunity to sign after this, and if not, have another year at Illinois, and that sounds really awesome to me too. You can’t go wrong with both.”