Ryan Jackson Named Preseason All-American by Baseball America
Feb. 16, 2009
DURHAM, N.C. – University of Miami junior shortstop Ryan Jackson continues to garner national preseason recognition as Baseball America tabbed him as a second team All-American on Monday. For Jackson, this marks his third All-American recognition this preseason by leading college baseball publications.
Jackson had a breakout year in 2008 as a sophomore, 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 year was 124 points higher than his average in 2007 (.236), easily the greatest turnaround on the UM roster.
He also had another stellar year defensively at shortstop, committing just eight errors on 310 chances for a .974 fielding percentage.
Already this preseason, Jackson has been named a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association First Team All-American and a Louisville Slugger Preseason Second Team All-American. He also joined teammate Chris Hernandez on the Brooks Wallace Award Preseason Watch list for the award given annually to the nation’s top collegiate baseball player.
Baseball America annually polls major league scouting directors to vote on the team and make their selections based on performance, talent and professional potential. In the past, the preseason All-America team has been a predictor both of the first round of the draft and of team success. For example, members of the 2008 first team made up eight of the first 12 picks in the draft last June. In all, 15 of last year’s preseason All-Americans were drafted in the first round.
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.
