Jan. 19, 2007
Order Season Tickets Online | Baseball Banquet Registration (Feb. 2, 2007)
 |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sophomore third baseman Pedro Alvarez and junior pitcher David Price continue to pick up preseason plaudits as both were named first-team preseason All-Americans by Baseball America and Rivals.com this week.
Both players previously picked up preseason All-American honors by Collegiate Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
In addition, the Commodores are ranked high in all of the preseason polls. Rivals.com has Vanderbilt ranked No. 7 to start the year, while Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America ranks the team at No. 8. The NCBWA has VU at No. 11 in its preseason listing.
Alvarez finished the 2006 season with a .329 batting average to go along with a school record 22 homers and 64 RBI. His homer total was third most nationally and second best in the Southeastern Conference. Alvarez had a torrid summer with the USA Baseball National Team that captured a gold medal at the World University Championships in Cuba. The New York City resident led the collegiate all-star squad with a .379 batting average to go along with five homers, 12 doubles and 43 RBI. Baseball America listed him as the No. 2 prospect off of the USA team that was coached by Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin.
Price, the No. 1 prospect on the USA squad, was a three-time National Pitcher of the Week honoree in 2006 and finished the year with a 9-5 record and a school record 155 strikeouts in 110.1 innings. His. 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings was third best nationally and No. 1 in the SEC. He was named BA’s Summer Player of the Year after going 5-1 with a 0.20 ERA with 61 strikeouts and only seven walks in 44.0 innings for Team USA.
The Commodores began practicing last week in preparation for the season and will face a tough slate to open the year at the Houston Astros College Classic (Feb. 9-11). Vanderbilt kicks off the 2007 campaign against No. 1 Rice and will then take on nationally ranked Arizona State and Baylor to round out the tourney. VU’s home opener will be against Ohio on Friday, Feb. 16 at 4 p.m.
Baseball season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via the web at www.vucommodores.com or by calling (615) 322-GOLD (Option 1).