LEXINGTON ? Kentucky second baseman John Shelby added to his impressive list of preseason accolades on Thursday when he was named a preseason All-American by Baseball America.

The national publication named Shelby, a Lexington native, to its second team. His other preseason honors include a placement on the Wallace Award Watch List for National Player of the Year and being named first-team All-SEC by SEbaseball.com.

A year ago, Shelby junior proved to be one of the biggest offensive weapons in the Southeastern Conference by batting .344 overall, while leading the team with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs. He also stole a team-best 23 bases and was one of just three SEC players with at least 10 homer and 10 steals. For his efforts, he earned first-team All-SEC and ABCA first-team All-South Region honors.

Shelby is the first preseason All-American for UK since catcher John Wilson was honored prior to the 2000 campaign. He was one of nine SEC players selected on the three teams.