2018 Freshmen All-American Teams

Image credit: Oregon State freshman Kevin Abel (Courtesy of Oregon State)

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. Name School Skinny
C Patrick Bailey North Carolina State Led all freshmen in the ACC in batting average (.321) and home runs (13)
1B Spencer Torkelson Arizona State Hit 25 home runs to lead the country, one shy of the freshman record
2B Gabe Holt Texas Tech Filled the prototypical leadoff role for the Red Raiders, helping them to Omaha
3B Casey Martin Arkansas Led the national runner-up in hitting while also becoming a strong defender
SS Nick Loftin Baylor Took over at shortstop and helped the Bears to the Big 12 Tournament title
OF Daniel Cabrera Louisiana State Showed dynamic tools and led LSU in on-base percentage (.405) and slugging (.525)
OF Heston Kjerstad Arkansas Immediatly stepped in as a middle-of-the-order threat, helping Arkansas to Omaha
OF Ryan Ward Bryant Led all freshmen in batting average (.409) and hits (101)
DH Edouard Julien Auburn The Canadian native led Auburn in home runs (17), slugging (.556) and RBI (69)
UTL Casey Schmitt San Diego State Helped the Aztecs win the Mountain West as their everyday third baseman and closer
SP Kevin Abel Oregon State Stepped up in the CWS to push Oregon State to the national title with four wins
SP Tanner Burns Auburn Went 7-4, 3.01 to help Auburn to super regionals for the first time since 1999
SP Patrick Fredrickson Minnesota The Big Ten pitcher of the year went 9-0, 1.86 to lead the Gophers to super regionals
SP Zach Pettway UCLA Stepped up to take a spot in UCLA’s injury-ravaged rotation and went 8-4, 3.35
RP Chris Mauloni Jacksonville Tied for the nation lead in saves (20) and averaged 12.96 strikeouts per nine
RP Max Meyer Minnesota Led the Big Ten in saves (16) and emerged as the Gophers’ top reliever
Second Team
Pos. Name School Skinny
C Adam Kerner San Diego Hit .338 while throwing out 47 percent of would-be base stealers
1B Jesse Franklin Michigan Led Michigan in home runs (10), slugging (.588) and RBI (47)
2B Nick Gonzales New Mexico State Led New Mexico State in batting (.347) and helped Aggies to first regional since 2012
3B Tyler Keenan Mississippi HIt. 301/.391/.520 while helping Ole Miss to SEC West title
SS Jimmy Glowenke Dallas Baptist Started every game at shortstop and was named Missouri Valley freshman of the year
OF Parker Chavers Coastal Carolina Hit. 316 to lead Coastal and help the Chanticleers to Sun Belt title
OF Austin Martin Vanderbilt Hit .338/.442/.414 with 22 stolen bases as Vanderbilt’s leadoff hitter
OF Steven Williams Auburn Took on a key role and helped Auburn to super regionals with 12 homers
DH Le Bassett Mercer Led the SoCon and ranked second among all freshman with 17 homers
UTL Logan Allen Florida International Went 5-5, 3.89 with a team-high 85 strikeouts as a starter and hit .309/.390/.388
SP Nicholas Dombkowski Hartford Emerged as Hartford’s top starter and led the Hawks to their first regionals appearance
SP Ma’Khaill Hillard Louisiana State Stepped up to take a spot in LSU’s rotation and went 9-5, 379
SP Drey Jameson Ball State Went 7-2, 3.88 with 97 strikeouts in 72 innings
SP Samuel Strickland Samford Named SoCon freshman of the year after going 82, 2.33 with 87 strikeouts
RP Andrew Abbott Virginia Struck out 78 batters in 51 innings and earned six saves
RP C.J. Van Eyk Florida State Went 7-0, 2.86 with 71 strikeouts in 56.2 innings

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