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2018 Freshmen All-American Teams



Oregon State righthander Kevin Abel is Baseball America’s 2018 Freshman of the Year. Abel went 8-1, 2.88 with 108 strikeouts in 81.1 innings and won four games in the College World Series, including a shutout in Game 3 of the finals to clinch the national championship for the Beavers.

Abel also highlights the Freshman All-America teams. He is joined by Arizona State first baseman Spencer Torkelson, who led the nation in home runs, and Jacksonville closer Chris Mauloni, who tied for the most saves in the country.

Auburn led all schools with three honorees, including two on the first team. Righthander Tanner Burns and DH Edouard Julien earned first-team honors, while outfielder Steven Williams made the third team. Burns was named a Freshman All-American a year after earning Baseball America High School All-American honors.

Arkansas, Louisiana State and Minnesota also had multiple honorees. In all, 27 schools are represented on the two teams.

The staff of Baseball America selected the Freshman All-America teams.

First Team
Pos.NameSchoolSkinny
CPatrick BaileyNorth Carolina StateLed all freshmen in the ACC in batting average (.321) and home runs (13)
1BSpencer TorkelsonArizona StateHit 25 home runs to lead the country, one shy of the freshman record
2BGabe HoltTexas TechFilled the prototypical leadoff role for the Red Raiders, helping them to Omaha
3BCasey MartinArkansasLed the national runner-up in hitting while also becoming a strong defender
SSNick LoftinBaylorTook over at shortstop and helped the Bears to the Big 12 Tournament title
OFDaniel CabreraLouisiana StateShowed dynamic tools and led LSU in on-base percentage (.405) and slugging (.525)
OFHeston KjerstadArkansasImmediatly stepped in as a middle-of-the-order threat, helping Arkansas to Omaha
OFRyan WardBryantLed all freshmen in batting average (.409) and hits (101)
DHEdouard JulienAuburnThe Canadian native led Auburn in home runs (17), slugging (.556) and RBI (69)
UTLCasey SchmittSan Diego StateHelped the Aztecs win the Mountain West as their everyday third baseman and closer
SPKevin AbelOregon StateStepped up in the CWS to push Oregon State to the national title with four wins
SPTanner BurnsAuburnWent 7-4, 3.01 to help Auburn to super regionals for the first time since 1999
SPPatrick FredricksonMinnesotaThe Big Ten pitcher of the year went 9-0, 1.86 to lead the Gophers to super regionals
SPZach PettwayUCLAStepped up to take a spot in UCLA's injury-ravaged rotation and went 8-4, 3.35
RPChris MauloniJacksonvilleTied for the nation lead in saves (20) and averaged 12.96 strikeouts per nine
RPMax MeyerMinnesotaLed the Big Ten in saves (16) and emerged as the Gophers' top reliever
Second Team
Pos.NameSchoolSkinny
CAdam KernerSan DiegoHit .338 while throwing out 47 percent of would-be base stealers
1BJesse FranklinMichiganLed Michigan in home runs (10), slugging (.588) and RBI (47)
2BNick GonzalesNew Mexico StateLed New Mexico State in batting (.347) and helped Aggies to first regional since 2012
3BTyler KeenanMississippiHIt. 301/.391/.520 while helping Ole Miss to SEC West title
SSJimmy GlowenkeDallas BaptistStarted every game at shortstop and was named Missouri Valley freshman of the year
OFParker ChaversCoastal CarolinaHit. 316 to lead Coastal and help the Chanticleers to Sun Belt title
OFAustin MartinVanderbiltHit .338/.442/.414 with 22 stolen bases as Vanderbilt's leadoff hitter
OFSteven WilliamsAuburnTook on a key role and helped Auburn to super regionals with 12 homers
DHLe BassettMercerLed the SoCon and ranked second among all freshman with 17 homers
UTLLogan AllenFlorida InternationalWent 5-5, 3.89 with a team-high 85 strikeouts as a starter and hit .309/.390/.388
SPNicholas DombkowskiHartfordEmerged as Hartford's top starter and led the Hawks to their first regionals appearance
SPMa'Khaill HillardLouisiana StateStepped up to take a spot in LSU's rotation and went 9-5, 379
SPDrey JamesonBall StateWent 7-2, 3.88 with 97 strikeouts in 72 innings
SPSamuel StricklandSamfordNamed SoCon freshman of the year after going 82, 2.33 with 87 strikeouts
RPAndrew AbbottVirginiaStruck out 78 batters in 51 innings and earned six saves
RPC.J. Van EykFlorida StateWent 7-0, 2.86 with 71 strikeouts in 56.2 innings
Tyler Bosma Photo By Jeff Moreland Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images

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