Ball State University Athletics
John Baker Named Preseason All-American
December 17, 2019 | Baseball
Ball State's ace starter John Baker is back for another championship run and with that comes accolades and notice. The All-MAC right-hander was named third team Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball News. He was given that same distinction last winter by the publication as well.
Baker, selected by the Miami Marlins in the 2019 MLB Draft, enters 2020 as one of the most accomplished starting pitchers in college baseball. He has a career 17-9 record with 3.36 ERA in 38 career starts. His 270 career strikeouts is already second in Ball State history and he's held opponents to a .226 average over his first three seasons. Last year, he was 7-2 with a MAC-best 2.13 ERA. Opposing batters hit just .190 against him in 2019.
Ball State owned a 38-19 record last year while placing second in both the league regular season race and conference tournament. Alongside Baker this year will be right-hander Kyle Nicolas (6 saves, 82 Ks) and 2019 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Chase Sebby. All-league players Ross Messina (.316, 33 XBH) and Noah Powell (2018 2nd team All-MAC) also return, as does senior leadoff hitter Aaron Simpson (.321, 22 XBH).
CBN also released its top 40 teams in the nation and charted Ball State at 39, just one spot behind reigning MAC champ Central Michigan. The Cardinals open the season Feb. 14-16 at Georgia Southern.
Baker, selected by the Miami Marlins in the 2019 MLB Draft, enters 2020 as one of the most accomplished starting pitchers in college baseball. He has a career 17-9 record with 3.36 ERA in 38 career starts. His 270 career strikeouts is already second in Ball State history and he's held opponents to a .226 average over his first three seasons. Last year, he was 7-2 with a MAC-best 2.13 ERA. Opposing batters hit just .190 against him in 2019.
Ball State owned a 38-19 record last year while placing second in both the league regular season race and conference tournament. Alongside Baker this year will be right-hander Kyle Nicolas (6 saves, 82 Ks) and 2019 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Chase Sebby. All-league players Ross Messina (.316, 33 XBH) and Noah Powell (2018 2nd team All-MAC) also return, as does senior leadoff hitter Aaron Simpson (.321, 22 XBH).
CBN also released its top 40 teams in the nation and charted Ball State at 39, just one spot behind reigning MAC champ Central Michigan. The Cardinals open the season Feb. 14-16 at Georgia Southern.
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
IF-OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballSports Link: Michael Shebek's Power of Beneficence
Friday, November 07
Homecoming // Cardinal Sinners! Presented by Gameday Spirit
Friday, October 17
Baseball // 5 AM Workouts
Tuesday, August 26
Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses the NCAA vs. House Settlement
Tuesday, July 01