Hernandez, Jackson Continue To Garner Preseason Awards
Dec. 23, 2008
TUCSON, Ariz. – Sophomore left-hander Chris Hernandez and junior shortstop Ryan Jackson continue to garner preseason awards as both University of Miami baseball players were named to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper‘s 2009 Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American baseball team on Tuesday.
The recognition from Collegiate Baseball marks the third national preseason honor for both Jackson and Hernandez. On Dec. 5, both players were named to the College Baseball Foundation’s 2009 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Watch List while just last week, both Miami natives were named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-America First Team.
For Hernandez, the Louisville Slugger honor is his second first-team selection this preseason, while Jackson picked up second team honors after being named first team by the NCBWA.
Seven Atlantic Coast Conference players were named to one of the three Louisville Slugger teams, with North Carolina and Miami combining for six of the league’s seven spots. San Diego State’s RHP Stephen Strasburg is the publication’s preseason pick for National Player of the Year.
Hernandez, one of six starters named to the first-team staff, is coming off one of the most decorated freshman seasons in school history, finishing a perfect 11-0 with a 2.72 ERA en route to numerous All-American honors. Striking out a team-high 117 batters in 112 2/3 innings in 2008, Hernandez was recognized as the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association. He was named First Team All-America by Louisville Slugger and Second Team All-America by Baseball America and Rivals.com. He was also named Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and First Team All-ACC after going 8-0 in 10 league starts.
Jackson had a breakout year in 2008, hitting .360 with four home runs, 50 RBI, 49 runs scored and 10 stolen bases en route to First Team All-ACC honors. He led the Hurricanes with 19 doubles in 2008, in addition to ranking second in at-bats (242) and hits (87) and third in batting average. His .360 average at the conclusion of his sophomore season was 124 points higher than his average in 2007 (.236), easily the greatest turnaround on the UM roster. Jackson also had another stellar year defensively at shortstop, committing just eight errors on 310 chances for a .974 fielding percentage.
Last season, junior first baseman Yonder Alonso was the lone Hurricane to earn Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American honors. Alonso was named to the second team.
Miami opens its 2009 season at newly-renovated Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field on Friday, Feb. 20 against Rutgers. For ticket information for the 2009 season, call 1-800-GO-CANES, visit www.hurricanesports.com or email canestix@miami.edu.
