Trio of Canes Named Preseason All-Americans
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Three University of Miami baseball student-athletes were recognized as 2017 Preseason All-Americans by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), the organization announced Monday.
Junior righthander Jesse Lepore, junior lefthander Michael Mediavilla and senior infielder Johnny Ruiz were among those named to the NCBWA Preseason All-America Third Team. The honor marks the second of the preseason for each of the three standouts, who were all recognized by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper in December.
Junior outfielder Carl Chester was recognized by Baseball America as a Preseason All-American earlier this week.
A 2016 ABCA/Rawlings All-American, Mediavilla anchored Miami’s rotation during last year’s College World Series run. Mediavilla, who earned third-team All-ACC honors, finished 11-2 with a 3.40 ERA in 18 starts. He led all Hurricanes in strikeouts (85) and innings pitched (103.1), and became Miami’s first 11-game winner since 2008.
Lepore served as Miami’s midweek starter in 2016 and finished with a perfect 9-0 record on the hill. Lepore struck out 57 batters in 73.2 innings a season ago, posting a 2.20 ERA across 14 appearances and 13 starts. In his lone start against ACC competition, Lepore pitched six shutout innings in a win over Georgia Tech at the ACC Baseball Championship in Durham, N.C.
Miami’s top offensive returner, Ruiz was selected in the 28th round of the 2016 MLB Draft by Houston but elected to return to school for his senior season. Ruiz was named to the All-ACC Second Team after a season in which he started all 64 games and batted .342. Ruiz added career-high totals of 80 hits, 17 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 57 RBI.
The Hurricanes open their season Friday, Feb. 17 against Rutgers at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field. Season tickets are available for as little as $109 – call 1-800-GO-CANES or click HERE for more information.
