TUCSON, Ariz. – San Diego State's Casey Schmitt was named a preseason second-team All-American on Tuesday by the Collegiate Baseball newspaper as a utility player. With his selection, the Aztec junior received his second straight preseason accolade by the publication after landing a spot on the All-American third team last year.
As SDSU's starting third baseman, Schmitt finished second on the squad with a .315 batting average in 2019, adding eight doubles, five home runs and 36 RBI to earn second-team all-Mountain West honors. He also made 21 appearances with four starts as a pitcher, posting a 3-3 record and a 3.77 ERA in 43.0 innings to go with a team-high eight saves.
A local product from Eastlake High School, Schmitt was a consensus freshman All-American in 2018, setting an Aztec single-season record with a 0.28 ERA (min. 30 IP), allowing just one earned run in 32 innings of work. He also hit .264 with one home run and 32 RBI, completing the year as one of only two players nationally to own a 2.00 ERA or lower (min. 15 IP) and drive in more than 30 runs.
Schmitt capped the 2018 campaign by becoming the first freshman in five years to capture most valuable player honors at the Mountain West Championships (Ty France) after delivering a key two-run double in SDSU's 14-5 title-clinching win over UNLV following a strong relief appearance on the mound vs. the Rebels the previous day when he allowed just one hit in three innings.
On Monday, San Diego State was ranked 31st in Collegiate Baseball's Fabulous 40 preseason poll.
In addition to Schmitt, the Aztecs welcome back four other starting position players, including outfielders Matt Rudick (.320, 12 12 2B, 28 RBI, 6 SB), Mike Jarvis (.289, 5 HR, 8 2B, 30 RBI, 8 SB) and Jaden Fein (.293, 4 HR, 11 2B, 20 RBI), along with first baseman Brian Leonhardt (.272, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 34 RBI).
Rudick was a first-team all-MW selection in 2019, while Jarvis garnered second-team all-conference accolades along with Schmitt. Not to be outdone, Fein received freshman All-American recognition by Collegiate Baseball and was named the MW Co-Freshman of the Year.
SDSU opens its 2020 schedule on Friday, Feb. 14, when it faces Virginia Tech in the first game of the Brittain Resorts Baseball at the Beach tournament in Conway, South Carolina. The Aztecs will also lock horns with host Coastal Carolina (Feb. 15) and UNC Greensboro (Feb. 16) at the event.