NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State redshirt junior Paul DeJong has been named a Preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. DeJong was named to the second team as a catcher.
The preseason honor comes following DeJong being named a Louisville Slugger Preseason All-America selection in December. DeJong was a third-team selection as catcher/second baseman.
The native of Antioch, Illinois, who was also named a Missouri Valley Conference Preseason All-Conference selection last month, split time between three defensive positions in 2014, spending time at second base, third base and catcher. He appeared in 54 games and led the Redbirds with a .349 batting average and .596 slugging percentage. He also led the team in hits (76), doubles (21), triples (3), home runs (9), RBIs (48), runs (44), total bases (130) and hit by pitches (9) in 2014.
DeJong earned All-MVC First-Team honors following the 2014 season, after leading the league in doubles, while ranking second in the hits and total bases, fourth in RBIs and fifth in home runs.
DeJong was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 38th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft last June, but opted instead to return to Illinois State for his redshirt junior season.
The Illinois State baseball team opens the 2015 season next Friday, Feb. 13, with a four-game series at Arkansas State.
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