Texas Tech baseball’s Josh Jung, Gabe Holt and Caleb Kilian were named to Collegiate Baseball’s 2019 Preseason All-America teams, the publication announced today.
Jung was selected to the first team, while Holt and Kilian picked up second team accolades. The trio makes up seven honorees for the Red Raiders since 2015, joining pitchers Steven Gingery (first team, 2018), John McMillon (second team, 2018) and Davis Martin (third team, 2017) and first baseman Eric Gutierrez (first team, 2015). Tech has had 16 preseason All-Americans since 2000.
Jung, a Collegiate Baseball’s 2018 All-America Second Team selection, put together a phenomenal sophomore campaign in 2018 as he led the Big 12 in several offensive categories, including batting (.392 avg.), hits (103) and RBI (80). His hit total finished third nationally while his RBI total ranked fourth in the country. Jung also totaled 12 home runs, 17 doubles, a team-leading six triples and 69 runs scored in 2018.
Holt, the first unanimous Freshman All-American in school history, started all 65 games in 2018 and totaled 94 hits, 13 doubles, three triples and six home runs for a .348 batting average. He also had 44 RBI and 70 runs scored to go with 29 stolen bases. The Bonaire, Georiga, native finished the year second on the team with 30 multi-hit games.
Kilian, a right-handed pitcher from Flower Mound, makes it three straight years a Red Raider pitcher has been honored on Collegiate Baseball’s Preseason All-American list. He led the staff in wins last season, finishing 9-3 over 11 starts and 20 appearances on the mound. The junior recorded a 3.24 ERA in 72.1 innings of work, striking out 63 batters and contributing to four of Tech’s five shutouts.
Coming off their third College World Series appearance in five seasons, the Red Raiders are set to open the 2019 campaign on Friday, Feb. 15, against Oregon at 2 p.m. from Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
TEXAS TECH PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS (since 1999)
2019 – Josh Jung (1st Team)
2019 – Gabe Holt (2nd Team)
2019 – Caleb Kilian (2nd Team)
2018 – LHP Steven Gingery (1st Team)
2018 – UTL John McMillon (3rd Team)
2017 – RHP Davis Martin (3rd Team)
2015 – 1B Eric Gutierrez (1st Team)
2012 – RHP John Neely (2nd Team)
2012 – OF Barrett Barnes (3rd Team)
2008 – OF Roger Kieschnick (2nd Team)
2007 – C Matt Smith (3rd Team)
2007 – OF Roger Kieschnick (3rd Team)
2005 – SS Cameron Blair (1st Team)
2002 – 3B Nick Blankenship (2nd Team)
1999 – RHP Shane Wright (1st Team)
1999 – C Josh Bard (2nd Team)
*Note Preseason All-Americans listed above designated included but not limited to Collegiate Baseball distinctions
(Courtesy: Texas Tech Sports Communications Department)