Feb. 16, 2009

Mizzou juniors Kyle Gibson and Trevor Coleman have earned spots on the Baseball America Preseason All-America teams, as was released by the publication on Monday. Gibson was named to the first team, while Coleman was a second team selection.

Gibson has previously been named to the Preseason All-America teams of Collegiate Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Last season, Gibson was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, finishing the season 9-4 with a 3.84 ERA.

Coleman, a Freshman All-American in 2007, was an All-Big 12 Second Team honoree last season and returns to Missouri as one of the most experienced catcher in the Big 12 Conference. He hit .295 last season with four home runs and 35 RBI.

Baseball America annually polls major league scouting directors to vote on the team and make their selections based on performance, talent and professional potential. In the past, the preseason All-America team has been a predictor both of the first round of the draft and of team success. For example, members of the 2008 first team made up eight of the first 12 picks in the draft last June. In all, 15 of last year's preseason All-Americans were drafted in the first round, and 11 of them played for teams that reached the College World Series.

Missouri will open the 2009 season this Friday against Nevada at the Grand Canyon Classic in Phoenix, Ariz. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. CT.