Pitcher Mike Rucker of BYU has been named to the Louisville Slugger All-American baseball teams as announced Thursday by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.
Rucker, from Lake Tapps, Washington, was named Third Team All-American, becoming the first BYU upperclassman to receive the national honor since pitcher Jesse Craig in 2007.
The 6-foot-1 junior tallied an 11-1 record with a 2.73 earned run average, 94 strikeouts and 102.1 innings during the 2016 season. His 11-0 start tied five others in BYU history for best start in a season. He was also named to the All-West Coast Conference First Team.
In two years pitching for BYU, the transfer from Gonzaga has tallied a 16-2 record in 169.1 innings with a 2.82 ERA.
“He's got a great future,” BYU head coach Mike Littlewood said. “We sure wish we'd have him back next year, but I don't think it's going to happen. I think he's going to have a really good chance of playing pro ball next year."
The only other players from the WCC named to the Louisville Slugger All-American teams this season were Pepperdine pitcher A.J. Puckett and Saint Mary’s College pitcher Corbin Burnes, who were named to the first and third teams, respectively.
Ralph R. Zobell has worked for BYU Athletic Media Relations in various capacities for over 30 years. You can view his bio at byucougars.com/staff/athletics/ralph-zobell or contact him at ralph_zobell@byu.edu.