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2017 Baseball Preseason Recognitions

With baseball season right around the corner, the Collegiate Baseball News and Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division I Fabulous 40 Pre-Season Poll have been revealed. The Big 12 had four teams ranked in the top 40 and placed eight student-athletes on the All-America team.

Coming off a third straight College World Series appearance, the TCU Horned Frogs enter the 2017 rankings at No. 1 in the nation. Oklahoma State and Texas Tech both coming off of CWS runs are ranked No. 28 and 29 respectively.  Texas rounds out the conference’s placing in the rankings at No. 30. West Virginia and Oklahoma also enter the season receiving votes in the poll.

The Big 12 has placed teams in the College World Series each of the last three seasons. In 2014 and 2016, the Conference sent three teams to the World Series.

TCU placed two to the Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger Pre-Season All-America team in right-handed pitcher Brian Howard and designated hitter Luken Baker. The Horned Frogs also placed Durbin Feltman (relief pitcher), Evan Skoug (catcher) on second team while Elliott Brazilli (third base) was named to the third team.

Oklahoma State’s right handed pitcher Tyler Buffett and Baylor’s relief pitcher Troy Montemayor are also on second team along with right handed pitcher Davis Martin (Texas Tech) on third team.

Baseball non-conference play begins February 17 with league play starting March 17.