TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama freshman pitcher Connor Prielipp and senior catcher Brett Auerbach were selected as All-Americans by Collegiate Baseball News, the outlet announced on Tuesday morning. Prielipp was a first-team honoree while Auerbach was tabbed as a second-teamer.
The duo is the Crimson Tide’s first All-America selections since Thomas Burrows was named a third-teamer by the NCBWA in 2016. Prielipp becomes the 16th first team All-American in Alabama baseball history and the only Crimson Tide freshman to ever be named to an All-America first team. He is the Crimson Tide’s latest first-team honoree since Taylor Dugas in 2010.
With his first-team selection, Prielipp joins a group of Crimson Tide first-teamers that includes: Dugas, Kent Matthes (2009), Wade LeBlanc (2006), Emeel Salem (2006), Beau Hearod (2003), G.W. Keller (1999), Andy Phillips (1999), Roberto Vaz (1997), Dax Norris (1996), Joe Vitiello (1991), Doug Duke (1986), David Magadan (1983), Fred Frickie (1957), Frank Roland (1956) and Ed White (1950).
FIRST TEAM
Connor Prielipp, Pitcher
- Perfect Game USA’s “Impact Freshman of the Year” and D1Baseball.com’s “Top Freshman Pitcher”
- Wrapped up 2020 with a 3-0 record and 0.00 ERA (21.0 IP) making him one of only eight pitchers in Division I to hold a perfect ERA (minimum 15.0 IP) at season’s end
- Struck out 35 compared to only six walks while limiting the opposition to an SEC-low .077 average
- Maintained a 0.52 WHIP to lead the Southeastern Conference and rank fifth nationally
- Gave up only five hits and did not allow a run – both conference-low marks – while tying for third in the league in strikeouts
SECOND TEAM
Brett Auerbach, Catcher
- Batted .388 (26-67) and finished as the Crimson Tide’s leader in hits (26), doubles (8), runs scored (22) and stolen bases (12-14)
- Led the SEC and ranked fifth nationally in stolen bases with 12, the most in a season by an Alabama player since 2015
- Tied for second in the league in doubles and fifth in the conference in runs scored
- Ranked sixth in the SEC and 16th in Division I in walks with 17
- Threw out five baserunners from his catcher post, a total that tied for second in the conference
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