+2
The 2012 Preseason College Baseball All-America teams have been released, and Denver native Kevin Gausman has made the first-team as the LSU Tigers' ace, as have several players who were drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the past.
As the start of the college baseball season nears, publications have started releasing their preseason All-America teams. College Baseball Daily released its first and second teams on Monday, and there are a few names on the list that may be of interest to Rockies fans, as they were all drafted by Colorado in the 2011 MLB draft (and did not sign with the club). They are:
First Team
Preston Tucker (University of Florida)
Second Team
Peter O'Brien (University of Miami FL)
Ross Stripling (Texas A&M University)
Tucker hit .308/.381/.545 with 15 home runs and 74 RBI for the Gators in 2011. O'Brien hit .304/.382/.557 and pitcher Ross Stripling went 14-2 with a 2.29 ERA in 2011. Stripling walked just 18 batters in 125 2/3 innings pitched.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more Colorado Rockies coverage, head over to Purple Row. And for more on Major League Baseball prospects, visit Minor League Ball.
Baseball America's Preseason All-America teams for the 2012 college baseball season have been released and there are three players of note Rockies fans should take note of for the upcoming 2012 MLB Draft.
On the first team, Colorado native Kevin Gausman is the No. 3 pitchers on the team. He pitches for the LSU Tigers and is considered one of the top draft prospects. He offers four pitchers with a fastball that reaches into the upper 90s, a changeup, a curveball and a slider. However, Baseball America's write up (subscription required) believes he should just concentrate on one of the breaking pitches in order to make his pitching more effective. He is draft-eligible as a sophomore.
Florida Gators outfielder Preston Tucker made the second team after returning to school for his senior season. The Rockies selected Tucker in the 16th round of the 2011 draft, but the team worked more toward signing first-round pick Tyler Anderson and third-rounder Peter O'Brien. The former signed but the latter returned to college and transferred to Miami. Tucker hit 15 home runs last season and batted .308/.381/.545.
Back in 2009, the Rockies selected Brandon Thomas in the 37th round of the draft. He elected to go to Georgia Tech and in 2012 he finds himself a preseason third-team All-America selection. He hit .307/.417/.429 with three home runs in 2011. He stole 19 of 22 bases, as well.
Gausman will almost certainly be a top 10 selection in June, and that could mean he'd return home to Colorado if he is there for the taking at the No. 10 overall pick. Tucker will be available for any team to draft and Thomas is eligible for the first time since 2009.
2012 Golden Spikes Award Watch List: Kevin Gausman, Preston Tucker, Ross Stripling And Peter O'Brien Make The Cut
USA Baseball released its 2012 preseason Golden Spikes Award watch list on Thursday afternoon, and several players with some local ties made the cut. Kevin Gausman, a Denver-native and starting pitcher for the LSU Tigers, is one of the top players to watch this season. And three players who were drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2011 -- but didn't sign with the team -- also made the list: Preston Tucker of the University of Florida, Ross Stripling of Texas A&M University and Peter O'Brien of the University of Miami (FL).
Related: 2012 Preseason College Baseball All-America Teams: Kevin Gausman, Preston Tucker And Brandon Thomas Appear
The Golden Spikes award is given to the person judged to be the top amateur baseball player in the nation. This initial 50-man watch list will be expanded to 60 at midseason (May 1), and then they will begin to narrow down the candidates. The award will be presented to the winner between July 9 and July 13.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more Colorado Rockies coverage, head over to Purple Row. And for more on Major League Baseball prospects, visit Minor League Ball.
Feb 16 4:01p by Steven Muma