Emilien Pitre Named All-American by Coaches Association

Kentucky infielder Emilien Pitre has been named a Third Team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings, it was announced Friday. The Canadian second baseman also previously earned Southeastern Conference All-Defensive Team honors for the second consecutive season.

Pitre, a junior from Quebec, Canada, starred in all facets of the game. He has been nearly flawless with just two errors in nearly 250 chances this season, a fielding percentage of .992. He forms half the duo of one of the best defensive middle infields in the country and is batting .298 with 54 runs, 19 doubles, a triple, nine home runs, 56 RBI, 45 walks and 25 stolen bases, which are the most in a season for a player in the Mingione era.

Mingione routinely has called Pitre perhaps the best all-around player he’s coached in his 20 years in college baseball. As the Wildcats’ No. 2 hitter he has shined in all facets of the game this season.

UK will open play in the College World Series at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 15 in Omaha, Nebraska against NC State.