Baker and Schmidt Named Baseball America Preseason All-Americans

Jan. 7, 2002

DURHAM, NC – Clemson third baseman Jeff Baker and outfielder Jarrod Schmidt were named to Baseball America’s 2002 Preseason All-America teams, as announced last week in Orlando, FL. Baker was a first-team selection, while Schmidt garnered second-team honors.

Baker, a postseason first-team All-American by Baseball America at the end of the 2001 season, is the top returning home run hitter in major college baseball this season. The junior third baseman belted an ACC-best 23 home runs last year, one short of the Clemson single season record. He set school marks for the most home runs after two seasons (34) and most multi-homer games in a season (five) and career (seven).

Schmdit was selected to the second team as an outfielder. The junior showed his versatility in 2001 by drilling 16 home runs and 51 RBIs as a designated hitter and first baseman. He was also a valuable contributor on the mound as the right-hander finished second on the team in wins (seven) and strikeouts (59).

Scouting directors of Scouting directors of major league clubs voted on the Baseball America preseason teams and made their selections based on performance, talent and major league potential.

Both of Clemson’s selections were also named preseason All-Americans by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association in November along with teammates Michael Johnson (1B) and Steve Reba (RHP).

The Tigers, ranked second by Baseball America and sixth by Collegiate Baseball, open the 2002 campaign at home with a three-game series against Auburn at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, Feb. 22-24.

For a complete list of the Baseball America Preseason All-America teams, please visit http://www.baseballamerica.com