DURHAM, N.C.--Fresno State junior third baseman Tommy Mendonca and Sacramento State junior outfielder Tim Wheeler have been named to the preseason All-American team by Baseball America. Mendonca received first team honors while Wheeler was named to the third team.
Mendonca capped off his sophomore campaign with four home runs and 11 RBIs at the College World Series earning the CWS Most Outstanding Player award. Mendonca started 77 games for the Bulldogs in 2008 and recorded 19 home runs, eight doubles, and 70 RBIs. He also was named the 2009 Preseason WAC Player of the Year.
Wheeler, a native of Sacramento who attended El Camino HS, was also named to the preseason all-Western Athletic Conference team this past week. He becomes the first Hornet to earn preseason All-American honors during the Division I era.
Last season, Wheeler earned first team all-WAC honors after hitting .330 with three home runs and 43 RBI. He had eight outfield assists on the season, while ranking second on the team during WAC play in RBI (22) and stolen bases (5). Wheeler also tied for the longest hitting streak in the WAC last season, hitting safely in 20 straight games during the year. During the summer, he led the Cape Cod League in stolen bases, and competed in the league¹s prestigious all-star game.
Baseball America’s preseason All-America team is voted on by Major League Baseball scouting directors.