GREENSBORO, N.C. – Kevin Parada, Andrew Jenkins and Chandler Simpson were named first-team all-ACC, leading Georgia Tech baseball’s six overall All-ACC selections, the conference announced on Monday.
In addition to three first-team honors, Tim Borden II and Tres Gonzalez were chosen to the second team, while Stephen Reid was named to the All-ACC third team. The six selections for the Jackets are the most since 2019 and mark the third time in the last four seasons (no team selected in 2020) that Georgia Tech has featured six players. The six honors ranked third in the ACC behind Louisville (8) and Virginia Tech (seven).
The all-conference teams and annual awards are voted on by the league head coaches.
A semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and Buster Posey Award, Parada has had a sensational sophomore campaign for Georgia Tech, ranking among the nation’s best in almost every offensive category. He currently ranks second with a school-record 26 home runs and second in total bases (173), while ranking third in RBI (84), seventh in runs (71) and 16th in its (84). In the Atlantic Coast Conference, Parada leads in home runs, RBI, runs and total bases and ranks second in hits and third in slugging.
Another one of the greatest threats in the ACC at the plate and at first base is Jenkins, who leads the ACC in hits (89), is second in batting average (.389), third in doubles (20) and total bases (162), and ninth in RBI (62). Where he has been most impressive is in ACC play. Just against conference foes, Jenkins hit .404 (third) and slugged .765 (second), while leading the ACC in hits (55) and runs (40) while ranking seventh in home runs (12).
The nation’s batting average leader, Simpson is hitting a blistering .422, averaging a fourth-best 1.78 hits per game nationally, reaching base at a .505 clip – good for 13th best nationally and second in the league. Renowned for his speed, Simpson has also stolen a team-best 21 bases on the year, which is good for third in the ACC and is the toughest hitter to strikeout in the league at a whopping 12.4 at-bats per strikeout. On the year, he’s recorded 73 hits, five doubles and three triples for 20 RBI.
Named to the second team as a designated hitter, Borden has been a versatile Yellow Jacket in the order, playing second base and shortstop throughout the year in addition to DH duties. Borden has hit a red-hot .315 on the season, racking up 57 hits, 10 doubles, 17 home runs (tied for second on the team) and 51 RBI. Not afraid to stay in the batter’s box, Borden set the school record this year with 22 hit by pitches, passing Derek Dietrich and Tristin English on the leaderboard.
A lockdown defender and professional at the plate, Gonzalez was named to the second team at outfield, ranking fourth on the team with a .338 average, recording a .461 on-base percentage and drawing a team-best 42 walks – good for eighth in the conference. He’s totaled 69 hits, 14 doubles, one triples and four home runs for 51 RBI while also recording a .990 fielding percentage.
Selected to the third team as an outfielder, Reid has been outstanding at the plate, one of six Jackets hitting .300 or better. Entering the lineup later in the year due to injury with only 45 starts, Reid has taken advantage and excelled, hitting .326 on the season, recording 62 hits, six doubles and 16 home runs for 57 RBI – good for third on the team. Developing an excellent eye at the plate and earning the nickname “Eye Man,” Reid has also drawn 17 walks on the year.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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