NASHVILLE – JJ Bleday has been recognized as a second-team preseason All-American by D1Baseball.com, the publication announced Monday.
The junior is among nine outfielders to be recognized entering the season. Bleday led Vanderbilt with a .368 average, .511 slugging percentage and .494 on-base percentage a season ago. The Panama City, Florida, native ended the season riding a 28-game on-base streak.
Bleday is the third Commodore to receive preseason All-America status, joining Drake Fellows, who is a two-time preseason All-American (Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game) and Stephen Scott (Collegiate Baseball).
Vanderbilt opens the 2019 season on Feb. 15 with the first of three games as part of the MLB Collegiate Baseball Tournament in Talking Stick, Ariz. The Commodores will face Virginia, Cal State Fullerton and TCU before returning to Hawkins Field for the home opener on Feb. 20.
Commodores enter season as No. 1 ranked team
Vanderbilt is the early favorite to win it all in 2019 according to D1Baseball.com and Baseball America’s preseason polls. It marks the first time since 2015 the Dores have received the preseason top spot by both polls.
The Commodores return 24 letterwinners and eight of nine positional starters from a team that was one win shy of advancing to the College World Series. Vanderbilt is one of three Southeastern Conference teams to return its entire weekend starting rotation.
Outfield season tickets on sale
A limited number of outfield season tickets are now on sale for the upcoming campaign by calling (615) 322-GOLD or by visiting VUCommodores.com.
All season ticket account holders will receive a mini desk helmet in addition to the first opportunity to purchase postseason tickets.
Tickets are priced at $99 – or $2.91 per game – for the Commodores’ 34 home outings including 19 nonconference tilts and 15 matchups against the Southeastern Conference. Vanderbilt is set to host 11 games against 2018 NCAA Tournament teams.
Vanderbilt Baseball Banquet tickets on sale
The program is set to host its annual team banquet on Feb. 2 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville.
Head coach Tim Corbin will introduce the 2019 players and staff and recognize the program’s 2018 award winners. The event opens at 5 p.m. with the start of the silent auction. Players are scheduled to sign team posters from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in McGugin Center. For the fourth consecutive year, admission is priced at only $50 and includes a buffet-style dinner and complimentary valet parking.
