(Revised) June 30, 2015
THE FLATS – On the heels of a breakout rookie season, Georgia Tech outfielder Kel Johnson has been selected a 2015 Freshman All-America by both Louisville Slugger and D1Baseball.com.
Johnson, whose torrid start to the 2015 season was interrupted by an ankle injury, played 40 games and made 39 starts as a rookie. He hit .298 overall (.314 in ACC play) with nine doubles, 10 home runs and 34 RBI. The Palmetto, Ga., native was a one-time ACC Player of the Week and earned a spot on the conference’s All-Freshman Team.
The slugger was hitting .379 in the first 23 games of the season (.457 in ACC play), before suffering a sprained ankle in the series finale versus North Carolina on March 21. Johnson didn’t return to Tech’s lineup until April 17 and was hampered by the injury the remainder of the season.
Johnson’s 10 home runs led all ACC freshmen, and were the most by a Tech rookie since Daniel Palka belted 12 in 2011. He finished second on the team in slugging (.570) and homers, and was third in RBI.
Johnson becomes Tech’s first Freshman All-America selection since Matt Gonzalez in 2013. All-time, 32 Jackets have been named Freshman All-Americans, highlighted by Matt Wieters (2007), Mark Teixeira (1999), Nomar Garciaparra (1992) and Jason Varitek (1991).
Under head coach Danny Hall, a total of 20 players have garnered 34 Freshman All-America honors.
