June 10, 2011
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech junior Jacob Esch has named as a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award, the College Baseball Hall of Fame announced Friday. The list features 10 of the nation’s finest Division I shortstops.
Esch started all 63 games for the Jackets, batting .319 with a conference-leading 23 doubles, six home runs and 41 RBI. The St. Paul, Minn. native scored 55 runs, had 84 hits, a team-leading seven sacrifice hits and was a perfect 9-for-9 in stolen bases. Defensively, he fielded 32 double plays and led the entire ACC in assists with 193.
Esch was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 11th round of the 2011 MLB First-Year player draft on Tuesday.
The winner of the Brooks Wallace Award, presented by Mizuno, will be announced in Lubbock, Texas, on July 3 as part of the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s Night of Champions.
“This list of shortstops is outstanding,” said Kevin Dunagan, Wallace Award committee co-chair. “Three of them are still playing and several others led their teams to outstanding records and postseason play.”
Among those moving on to play in the Super Regionals this weekend are Nolan Fontana of Florida, Brandon Loy of Texas and Anthony Gomez of Vanderbilt.
The SEC and ACC each have two players on the semifinalist list.
Joe Panik of St. Johns highlights those who were selected in the recent MLB Draft by being selected as the No. 29 overall pick by the World Champion San Francisco Giants. Clemson’s Brad Miller was drafted as the No. 62 overall pick by the Seattle Mariners.
College Baseball’s Night of Champions not only features the presentation of the Brooks Wallace Award, but also the announcements of the National Pitcher of the Year, John Olerud Two-way Player of the Year, Johnny Bench Award and Dick Howser Trophy. Also included is the 2011 induction of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame class.
Name / School / Conference
Adam Bryant / Troy / Sun Belt
Anthony Gomez / Vanderbilt / SEC
Brad Miller / Clemson / ACC
Brandon Loy / Texas / Big 12
David Herbek / James Madison / Colonial
Jacob Esch / Georgia Tech / ACC
Joe Panik / St Johns / Big East
Nolan Fontana / Florida / SEC
Sam Roberts / VMI / Big South
Sean Jamieson / Canisius / Metro-Atlantic
