LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky 2009 All-Southeastern Conference second baseman Chris Bisson has been selected third-team preseason All-America, it was announced Monday morning by Ping Baseball.
A native of Orleans, Ontario, Bisson is coming off a breakout season in 2009, when he led the Wildcats in nearly every statistical category in his first full season as a starter. A 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior, led UK in batting average (.360), at bats (222), runs (49), hits (80), triples (three), RBI (52), total bases (101) walks (20) and assists (133). In addition, Bisson stole 13-of-15 bases, reaching base at a .414 clip and totaling a .455 slugging percentage.
Bisson was selected to the Ping Baseball preseason All-America third team, one of five second baseman selected to the three teams. Last year, Bisson was a second-team All-SEC selection by the conference coaches and a first-team All-SEC selection by SEbaseball.com. Earlier in the 2010 preseason, Bisson was named to the All-Canadian team by the Canadian Baseball Network.
During the summer, Bisson had another breakthrough, leading the prestigious Cape Cod League in stolen bases, helping lead his Cotuit Kettlers to the league championship series. Bisson hit for a .269 average in the pitching-laden Cape, stealing 36 bases in 42 games, becoming just the fourth player in the last 10 years to steal 30 or more bases in the CCL. His 36 steals set a new Cotuit Kettlers club record.
Kentucky opens the 2010 campaign for the second consecutive season at the Caravelle Resort Invitational in Myrtle Beach, S.C. UK opens Feb. 19 against Atlantic Coast Conference foe Virginia Tech at noon ET. UK plays West Virginia Feb. 20 at 11 a.m., before facing host Coastal Carolina Feb. 21 at 3 p.m.
RYAN STRIEBY NAMED DETROIT TIGERS TOP POWER HITTING PROSPECT
Former Kentucky standout and 2006 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year Ryan Strieby has been tabbed as the best power hitting prospect in the Detroit Tigers organization, it was announced by Baseball America.
Strieby, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound first baseman and corner outfielder, was selected by Baseball America as being the best power hitter in the Tigers minor leagues. The listing of the top player skills in the organization was part of the top-10 prospect breakdown done annually by Baseball America.
Last season, while playing with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves of the Eastern League, Strieby hit .303 (89-for-294) in 86 games. He added 18 doubles, one triple, 19 homers and 58 RBI, drawing 57 walks. Overall in 2009, Strieby slugged .565 and reached base at a .427 clip, good for a .991 OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage). A fourth-round selection in the 2006 MLB Draft, Strieby has made a gradual rise through the Tigers system. Last year, Strieby hit .278 (117-for-421) with 65 runs scored, 19 doubles, seven triples, 29 homers and 94 RBI, totaling a .915 OPS. Following the 2008 season, Strieby was tabbed as the Tigers Minor League Player of the Year and by Baseball America as the best power hitter in the minor league system.
Strieby had just one year as UK’s first baseman but he made the most of it, leading UK to its first SEC Championship and earning SEC Player of the Year accolades, in addition to All-America honors. During the 2006 campaign, Strieby hit .343 with 22 doubles, 20 home runs and a then-school record 77 RBI.
