Yasmani Grandal Named ACC Player of the Year

May 24, 2010

GREENSBORO, N.C. – University of Miami junior catcher Yasmani Grandal was named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year on Monday, headlining five Hurricanes named to the 2010 All-ACC baseball team as announced by commissioner John D. Swofford. Grandal is the second Hurricane to garner the prestigious award after Ryan Braun was named the league’s player of the year in 2005.

Junior left-hander Chris Hernandez joined Grandal on the ACC’s first team, while senior first baseman Scott Lawson, sophomore third baseman Harold Martinez and sophomore left-hander Daniel Miranda all garnered second team honors. The teams were voted on by the league’s 12 head coaches.

Grandal is having one of the most productive seasons in the history of Miami baseball. He currently leads the ACC in hitting (.428), on-base percentage (.552) and slugging percentage (.759), while ranking second in walks (50) and doubles (21). He leads the Hurricanes in nearly every offensive category – including hits (80), RBI (54) and total bases (142) – while ranking second in homers (13).

“It is a tremendous honor to have been selected for such a prestigious award,” Grandal said. “I appreciate the coaches in this conference for recognizing my hard work and determination to be the best player I can be.”

In ACC play, Grandal hit .463 (50-for-108) with eight homers, 30 RBI, 24 runs scored and 90 total bases in 30 games. He led the conference in hitting, on-base percentage (.570), slugging percentage (.833), hits (50), doubles (14) and total bases (90) in ACC play, hitting safely in 26 of 30 ACC games.

“I also want to thank my coaches, teammates and family for being there for me,” Grandal added. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.”

Hernandez (8-3) earned All-ACC honors for the third time in his career and first team honors for the second time. He closed out the regular season ranking third in the league in ERA (2.94) and wins (8) and fifth in strikeouts (91) and opponent’s batting average against (.235).

Lawson’s All-ACC honor was his second in as many years. The senior leads Miami with 52 runs scored and ranks second to Grandal with a .434 on-base percentage.

Martinez and Miranda were both honored for the first time. Miranda (5-2) has appeared in a team-high 29 games and boasted a 2.33 ERA in league play. Martinez (.299) leads the ‘Canes and ranks fifth in the ACC with 17 homers and ranks second on the team in RBI (53), total bases (121) and slugging percentage (.593).

Virginia’s Danny Hultzen (8-1, 2.08 ERA) was named the ACC Pitcher of the Year, Duke’s Marcus Stroman (6 wins, .265 BA) was named Freshman of the Year and UVa’s Brian O’Connor earned Coach of the Year honors.

The All-ACC honor was the second of Grandal’s career, after the Miami native earned second team honors in 2009.

Grandal and the Hurricanes will take on rival Florida State on the opening day of the ACC Baseball Championship on Wednesday, May 26 at 4 p.m. at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, N.C.

2010 ALL-ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE BASEBALL TEAMS

FIRST TEAM

SECOND TEAM

Player of the Year – Yasmani Grandal, Miami

Pitcher of the Year – Danny Hultzen, Virginia

Freshman of the Year – Marcus Stroman, Duke

Coach of the Year – Brian O’Connor, Virginia

** – Two-time first- or second-team selection

*** – Three time first- or second-team selection