LEXINGTON, Ky. — Senior outfielder Sawyer Carroll has been named to the Brooks Wallace National Player of the Year List of 16 and freshman shortstop Chris Wade has been tabbed a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, it was announced on Wednesday.
Carroll, a first-team Louisville Slugger All-American, had an amazing two-year career for Kentucky, finishing as the career record holder for batting average (.386). Carroll had a prolific 2008 season while leading UK to the most wins in program history (44) and a NCAA Regional Championship appearance. Carroll led the SEC with the only average above .400 (.416), adding 19 home runs and a school-record 83 RBI. Carroll, a right-fielder from Henryetta, Okla., ripped 22 doubles and a club-high three triples, swiping 12-of-12 bases.
A first-team All-Southeastern Conference outfielder, Carroll?s 139 career RBI ranks 10th best all-time, despite only playing two years. In 2007, Carroll hit .350 with an SEC-leading 23 doubles, three homers and 56 RBI, functioning as UK?s everyday first-baseman.
Carroll joined outfielder Collin Cowgill as All-Americans, with Carroll?s first-team selection the third consecutive year UK has placed a player on the first-team. Carroll, Cowgill, Ryan Wilkes and Chris Rusin were all named to the All-SEC first-team.
The selection committee will narrow the ?Wallace Watch? throughout the remainder of the season and the three Wallace Award finalists will be announced following NCAA Super Regional play. Along with their head coaches and parents, the finalists will be invited to Lubbock from July 2-4 to participate in the College Baseball Foundation?s ?Past Meets Present? celebration of college baseball. The 2008 College Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees will also be present for the three days of festivities.
Past winners included Kurt Suzuki of Cal State Fullerton (2004), Alex Gordon of Nebraska (2005), and Brad Lincoln of Houston (2006). Last year?s winner was the number one choice in Major League Baseball?s 2007 First-Year Player Draft, David Price of Vanderbilt.
Revised 2008 Wallace Watch List (By School)
Brett Wallace Arizona St.
Ike Davis Arizona St.
Tommy Rafferty Arizona St.
Jason Buursma Bucknell
Buster Posey Florida State
Gordon Beckham Georgia
Sawyer Carroll Kentucky
Chris Hernandez Miami (Fla.)
Yonder Alonso Miami (Fla.)
Aaron Crow Missouri
Dustin Ackley North Carolina
Tim Fedroff North Carolina
Brian Matusz San Diego
Justin Smoak South Carolina
Scott Gorgen UC Irvine
Conor Gillaspie Wichita St.
Shortstop Chris Wade Named Freshman All-American
Freshman shortstop Chris Wade was tabbed a Louisville-Slugger Freshman All-American, the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper announced Wednesday.
Wade had an outstanding season as a freshman starting every game at shortstop in the rugged SEC. A 6-foot Lexington native, Wade led the SEC with 24 doubles in 2008, marking the second-most doubles in UK season history. Wade hit .296 with five home runs and 51 RBI, with 6-of-8 stolen bases in 2008.
Wade marks the first-ever freshman All-America selection in UK program history. In 2005 Antone DeJesus and in 2006 Ryan Wilkes were each named freshman All-SEC selections.
