LEXINGTON, Ky. — Sawyer Carroll and Collin Cowgill have each been named All-America by Rivals.com, with Carroll a first-team selection and Cowgill a second-team honoree, it was announced on Tuesday morning.
Carroll earns his second first-team All-America nod, earlier tabbed as a first-team selection by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and Louisville Slugger. Cowgill was tabbed by Louisville Slugger as a second-team All-American. Carroll becomes UK?s third first-team All-American in as many years, joining Ryan Strieby (1B, 2006) and Sean Coughlin (C, 2007).
The two outfielders had career years in 2008, with Carroll leading the SEC with a .419 average, adding a school-record 83 RBI. Finishing his career with a UK record .386 average, Carroll belted 19 home runs, 22 doubles and three triples, swiping 12-of-12 bases. A 6-foot-4, 215-pound outfielder from Henryetta, Okla., Carroll was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the third round of the 2008 MLB Draft.
Cowgill, a five-tool outfielder from Lexington, hit .361 with 15 doubles, two triples and 19 home runs in 2008, adding 60 RBI. Cowgill, a 5-foot-9, 195-pounder, stole 23-of-27 bases, good for second in the SEC, adding seven outfield assists. Cowgill, who hit .291 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI in 2006, was picked in the fifth round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Three UK Signees Named Gatorade HS State Player of the Year
Three Kentucky 2009 signees ? Andy Burns, Alex Meyer and Robbie Ross ? have been named the Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year in their respective state, it was announced.
The Gatorade State Player of the Year honor is given to the top high school player in each state, recognizing players with outstanding athletic achievements, high academic success, and a commitment to exemplary personal character on and off the field.
Burns, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound infielder from Fort Collins, Colo., earned his second consecutive state player of the year honor, tabbed in 2007 as the Colorado Player of the Year by the Rocky Mountain News. In 2008, Burns has hit for a .481 average, with 45 runs scored, 34 RBI, 10 home runs, to complement a .951 slugging percentage and a .638 on-base percentage. Burns added a school-record 31 walks in 2008, just a year after leading his high school with a .546 batting average. In 2007, Burns set school records for home runs, RBI and runs scored, helping Rocky Mountain High School to its first ever state championship in any sport on the 5A level in Colorado. Burns has maintained a 3.93 GPA in the classroom. In addition to participating in Rocky Mountain’s Link Crew peer mentoring program, he volunteers on behalf of multiple community-service initiatives, donating his time to the Special Olympics, the LOBO Free for All summer baseball camp, Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, the local NewWestFest summer festival and Santa Cops of Larimer County, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Christmas gifts for children who may not have one otherwise.
Meyer, a 6-foot-7 right-hander from Greensburg, Ind., earned Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year honors after leading Greensburg High School with a 6-0 record and a 0.95 ERA, striking out 91 in over 40 innings of action. At the plate, Meyer has batted .413 with 13 doubles, eight home runs, 36 runs scored and 38 hits. Off the field, Meyer has maintained a GPA above 3.00, participating in multiple community service projects, including delivering boxes of toys to underprivileged families on Christmas Eve, volunteering as a referee at local youth basketball games and donating his time to the Enis Furley Foundation, a non-profit organization created to brighten the lives of children and families who struggle with hardship or other special needs in Bloomington, Ind.
Ross, a left-handed pitcher from the Lexington Christian Academy, has led the Eagles on the mound and at the plate all season. Ross has earned a 5-2 record and a 1.51 ERA, striking out 75 in 51 innings at the time of his selection. At the dish, Ross has hit .473 with 24 runs scored, 22 RBI and 13 doubles in 32 games. Ross has been a solid student, maintaining a good GPA, in addition to donating time as a local Sunday School teacher and participating in several community service activities.
The three were part of nine UK signees selected in the 2008 MLB Draft last week. Ross was UK?s second signee picked, going in the second round to the Texas Rangers. Meyer was a 20th-round pick by the Boston Red Sox and Burns a 25th-round pick by his hometown Colorado Rockies. UK had a school-record seven 2008 players drafted in the draft.
