Houck Named First Team Preseason All-American by Baseball America
1/30/2017 9:11:00 AM | Baseball
Houck now on three preseason All-America teams with two first-team distinctions
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou junior RHP Tanner Houck (Collinsville, Ill.) earned a spot on his third Preseason All-America team on Monday (Jan. 30) as Baseball America announced its annual preseason squad. Houck earned first team distinction from Baseball America, one of just four starting pitchers selected to the team. He has now earned preseason All-America honors from three major college baseball publications, including first team honors from PerfectGame.com and third team from Collegiate Baseball News. Houck was also tabbed the No. 8 MLB Draft prospect by Baseball America earlier this month.
Houck is coming off of a stellar sophomore season during which he posted a 2.99 ERA in 105.1 innings pitched, allowing just 82 hits while striking out a career-best 106 against only 27 walks. He went 5-6 in 15 starts and was twice named SEC Pitcher of the Week while garnering Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week honors following his start against Vanderbilt. He limited batters to just .209 hitting in 2016.
Houck, who owns a 13-11 career record and 3.23 career ERA, will anchor Mizzou's pitching staff for first-year head coach Steve Bieser. In two years, Houck has limited batters to .220 hitting and owns a strikeout-walk ratio of 5-1 (197-39). He has thrown more than 100 innings in each of his first two seasons as a Tiger and is expected to be one of the first 10 players selected in next year's Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft.
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