Jan. 9, 2015
2015 Perfect Game preseason All-Americans
Perfect Game has named Walker Buehler, Carson Fulmer, Dansby Swanson and Bryan Reynolds to its preseason All-American teams with Buehler, Fulmer and Swanson landing on the first team and Reynolds on the second.
For the trio of juniors it is the second first team preseason All-American honor after Collegiate Baseball tabbed them last month. Reynolds was named a third team member by Collegiate Baseball. The three Commodores on the first team are the most of any school in the nation and one of only two schools (UCLA) to place more than one on Perfect Game’s preseason first team.
Buehler enters the 2014 season after a dazzling sophomore campaign that saw him lead the Commodores’ national championship squad in wins with 12. The right-hander struck out 111 batters, tops among the returning pitching staff. Buehler was named the top prospect in the Cape Cod League with an outstanding summer that also included a start for Team USA as one of four Commodores on the Collegiate National Team.
Fulmer’s move into the Vanderbilt starting rotation in 2014 proved to be a significant difference maker for the Dores. The Lakeland, Fla. native went 7-1 with a 1.98 ERA and started three games in the College World Series with Vandy winning all three. The hard throwing right-hander also led the team with 10 saves, striking out 95 in 91 innings. He starred for Team USA over the summer and was tabbed the No. 2 prospect on the squad.
Swanson pieced together one of the greatest seasons ever by a Commodore, hitting .333 with a nation-leading 27 doubles that also matched the Vanderbilt school record. He earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the College World Series and later went on to lead Team USA over the summer. He was pegged as the top position prospect on the team.
Reynolds’ freshman season was one of the best-ever by a Commodore freshman with the Brentwood, Tenn. native leading the Dores in hitting with a .338 average. His 24 doubles set a Vandy freshman record and his 54 RBI led the way for the Dores. He was the fourth member of the Vandy Boys to play for Team USA over the summer playing first base and the outfield for the Stars & Stripes.
The top-ranked Commodores open the season at Hawkins Field on Feb. 13 against Santa Clara at 4 p.m. Fans have the opportunity to meet the team at the team’s annual banquet on Jan. 31 at the Omni Hotel. The program is slated to begin at 7 p.m. with the team signing autographs from 6-6:45. Tickets are $35 and include valet parking and a buffet. To purchase tickets click here.