Cameron Sewell fist bumps his Medford Rogues teammates between innings against Reno at Harry & David Field.

While growing up here in Medford, it was pretty easy for Cameron Sewell to look at the summer baseball players for the Medford Mustangs and Medford Rogues and one day envision that would be his future.

The South Medford High product worked hard and made that happen the past few summers with the Mustangs, helping lead the American Legion AAA franchise to its 18th state championship one year ago.

After signing with Sacramento State shortly thereafter, there was one more domino to play in the baseball career of Sewell — and he has slammed that last one down with authority already this summer.

“I used to go to the Rogues games when I was younger and I always thought it would be pretty cool to play for them,” said Sewell, who graduated from South Medford on June 3. “I got the opportunity this year and it’s been really fun.”

The versatile 18-year-old standout has taken to the collegiate wood-bat game with aplomb, entering Tuesday’s opening game of a series with the Humboldt Crabs as the team leader in RBIs (11) and a top overall producer with a .393 batting average and 10 runs scored.

Despite a 15-4 loss to the Crabs on Tuesday night, Sewell still finished with a double and one run scored on a night when Aidan Dougherty went 3-for-4 with one run and two RBIs and Caleb Richter was 2-for-5 for the Rogues (6-3).

“I’ve known Cameron for a couple years and he’s a great kid; he’s super athletic and a hard worker,” said Rogues manager Parker Berberet.

“I think this is an awesome opportunity for him to be around college infielders and learn what it’s going to take to play infield at the next level. He’s still kind of gradually getting there, but I love the way he swings the bat.”

“He fits in with this college atmosphere perfectly,” added the coach. “There’s a reason why he got looks by Division I colleges, and I’m super excited for him to experience Sacramento State next year. I’m hoping that this is kind of getting him ready to compete for a job.”

That has been Sewell’s hope all along as well in looking to the future after a tremendous spring at South Medford that saw him hit .402 with 30 runs and 21 RBIs with 10 stolen bases. A 6-foot, 175-pounder who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, Sewell also posted a 6-1 record with two saves for the Panthers, finishing with a 2.12 ERA after logging 69 ⅓ innings on the mound.

“I just wanted to see a little bit better pitching and get myself ready facing college pitchers going on to the next level,” said Sewell of his summer aspirations. “It’s been about getting used to seeing those arms.”

Facing more experienced and physically mature pitchers has understandably been an intriguing step up in play thus far in relation to what he’s seen at the high school level.

“There’s just a lot better competition,” said Sewell. “I feel like the pitching is a lot better than what I’m used to seeing. Here and there we’ll see some guys who are not as good, but I’ve definitely faced a lot better pitching with the Rogues than with the Mustangs.”

“Speed and command is the big difference, and mainly command,” he added. “The college guys can locate multiple pitches for strikes, and with the Mustangs they could still locate but at a little less speed.”

Locating Sewell at a Rogues game, at least in the field, has been an interesting game within the game as Berberet and company have taken advantage of his versatility. Sewell started the season at shortstop but has played second base and left field and, on Tuesday, made his debut at third base.

“I think that part of it is fun,” said Sewell of rotating roles. “I feel like playing everywhere is just a blast because going into college, I don’t know exactly where I’m playing yet but they said they’ll find a spot for me if I can hit. So I’ve just got to continue to do that and get better everywhere I can.”

The hitting part has definitely not been an issue thus far for Sewell, and is probably his main strength even after earning all-state recognition as a pitcher last year for South Medford.

Sewell began to focus seriously on lifting weights during the summer of his sophomore year and that has translated well into making a big jump in power and bat speed to go along with more arm strength for throws across the diamond.

“That was the first thing I noticed a couple years ago the first time I hit with him,” said Berberet. “I was like, ‘Man, you’ve got some bat speed.’ He’s made a couple adjustments we’ve been working on the last couple years, and he’s starting to get his hips cleared a little bit and being able to hit for power. He hit (five) home runs in high school this year and now he’s taken it to this level and he’s done pretty well so far, which is encouraging. We play some really good competition coming up so I think it will be a really good challenge for him.”

Sewell is set to leave July 9 for Sacramento State to take a summer course and begin offseason weight training, but that early exit has not stopped him from becoming immediately attached to this Rogues squad.

“I think that this team is going to be able to do a lot this summer,” he said. “We’re really coming together as a team well. I think our chemistry is getting there and we’re starting to learn each other and how everybody plays. We’re all bonding — a couple of the guys and I went out and golfed and another group is going to the river for some fishing — so it’s been really good.”

It also doesn’t hurt that Sewell, like his teammates, is getting to do something he loves as a baseball player.

“I’ve always loved baseball,” he said. “As a kid I dreamt of playing in the MLB and I mainly played other sports just to stay in shape for baseball. My dad played college baseball and I just wanted to do that also, I guess.”

“I’m going to have a blast and make the most out of it and just enjoy it while I can,” added Sewell, “because I know someday — hopefully it’s not for a long time — I won’t be playing baseball. Until then, I’m just going to enjoy it.”

An added benefit for Sewell is he is among a handful of hometown players this summer for the Rogues, meaning he gets the experience of great competition but without the grind of being away from his comfort zone.

“It’s been really nice sleeping in my own bed,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve heard some people say how they’re homesick, but it’s pretty sweet going back to my house after the games.”

It’s also pretty sweet to have so many Rogues fans already in his corner each night at Harry & David Field.

“I love the energy,” said Sewell. “Whenever my name gets called, I always hear a cheer and it’s really sweet. I’m really thankful for it. It’s fun to go to the games and hear that support.”

As someone who wants the best for all of his Rogues, Berberet said it’s also been fun for him to see the independent franchise be able to feature local players like Sewell.

“It’s just exciting having a hometown kid doing well out there,” said Berberet. “When I first came here and started coaching the Rogues, our local guys were maybe our worst guys, and I kind of made it a mission to myself that I needed to start training some of these guys a little bit earlier throughout the year because I’m here year-round. Now we’re at the position where some of our local guys are some of our best guys. Even though they’re young, they’re contributing at a high level, which is exciting.”

Medford was set to continue its series with the Crabs on Wednesday night before opening a four-game homestand against San Francisco on Thursday. All games start at 6:35 p.m. at H&D Field.