Inspired by College Baseball Daily’s list of the top 100 college baseball players, BluGrass Baseball is counting down the top 25 returning Kentucky collegians in advance of the 2011 season. We continue the list today with a 2010 All-Sun Belt Conference performer.

No. 7 — OF Kes Carter — Western Kentucky University

Kes Carter; WKU photo

WKU junior outfielder Kes Carter batted .341 with seven home runs, 53 RBI and 40 runs scored in 2010 en route to being named first-team All-Sun Belt following the season. Carter added 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts and boasted a .418 on-base percentage to go with a .484 slugging percentage. Among returning 2010 Ky. collegians, Carter ranks fifth in 2010 RBIs and stolen bases and fourth in 2010 on-base percentage. Carter was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 43rd round of the 2008 draft out of high school.

During the 2010 summer season Carter batted .228 with no home runs, eight RBI and four runs scored in 18 games for Pensacola of the Coastal Plains League. Carter stole four bases in four attempts on the summer season. The outfielder committed just one error in 2010, finishing the season with a .993 fielding percentage. Carter tallied hits in 15 consecutive games between April 6 and 25. WKU also lists Carter as a left-handed pitcher on the 2011 roster, though he has not appeared on the mound since his freshman season, when he allowed 15 runs in five and one-third innings over three appearances for the Hilltoppers.