DALLAS – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its preseason All-America teams on Wednesday afternoon. Tennessee sophomore outfielder/pitcher Drew Gilbert was named to the second team as a utility player.
UT has now had five players named to preseason All-America teams this season, marking the second straight year the Vols have had multiple players earn preseason All-America honors. Prior to last season, that had not happened since 2009. Gilbert joins Max Ferguson, Jake Rucker, Connor Pavolony and Jackson Leath as Tennessee players to earn preseason All-America accolades this season.
This marks the first preseason All-America recognition for Gilbert, who is one of the Vols’ most versatile players. The Stillwater, Minnesota, native played a key role as a freshman in 2020, starting 10 games in the outfield while also making four appearances as a relief pitcher.
Gilbert finished the shortened 2020 season ranked third on the team with a .350 batting average and had five multi-hit games, include a 4-for-5 performance in a win over George Washington on Feb. 29. In his first collegiate game, Gilbert went 2-for-2 at the plate with three RBI in a win over Western Carolina.
On the mound, Gilbert was a solid option out of the bullpen, allowing just one run over his first three appearances. In UT’s win over No. 25 Stanford in the Round Rock Classic, the left hander struck out three batters in 4.1 innings of relief to pick up his first-career victory.
To view the full NCBWA All-America teams, click HERE.
Tennessee opens its season this weekend with a trip down to Statesboro to take on Georgia Southern. The Vols and Eagles will begin a three-game series on Friday, Feb. 19. All three of those games will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required).
