Five Horned Frogs earn preseason All-American honors

Five Horned Frogs, including two first-teamers, have been named preseason All-Americans by Collegiate Baseball. First baseman Luken Baker and LHP Brian Howard are both on the first team, while catcher Evan Skoug and reliever Durbin Feltman are both on the second team, and third baseman Elliot Barzilli is a third-teamer.

TCU baseball is loaded this season, and is looking to reach the College World Series for the fourth-consecutive season. These five guys will be key to helping the Frogs make a run.

Here’s the full press release from TCU Athletics:

The TCU baseball team leads the nation with five preseason All-Americans as named by Collegiate Baseball. The Horned Frogs are tied for the national lead with two first-team honorees in DH Luken Baker and RHP Brian Howard.

Joining Baker and Howard as preseason All-Americans are second-teamers, catcher Evan Skoug and relief pitcher Durbin Feltman. Third baseman Elliott Barzilli was named to the third team.

Baker, the 2016 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and a second-team All-American, led the Frogs with a .379 batting average, 62 RBIs and tied for the team lead with 11 home runs.

Howard paced the Frogs with 10 victories in 2016, including a perfect 3-0 record in the postseason. He paced the team with 98 2/3 innings pitched and registered 93 strikeouts in 17 starts.

Feltman tied for the Big 12 lead with nine saves. He owned a 3-0 record with a 1.56 ERA in 27 appearances. In 34 2/3 innings of work, Feltman fanned 49 while issuing just 11 walks.

Skoug was one of five Frogs to bat over .300 posting a .301 average. He led the team with 21 doubles and tied for second on the squad with 51 RBIs.

Barzilli’s .339 batting average was second on the squad, while his 14 stolen bases led the team. He racked up 16 doubles, four triples and seven home runs while driving in 48.

The 2017 season is slated to open on Feb. 17 when the Horned Frogs play host to Penn State.