(TUCSON, AZ) Junior catcher Matthew Dyer and sophomore catcher Austin Wells were both selected as Preseason All-Americans by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association on Thursday.
Dyer was named to the first team as the designated hitter, while Wells was honored on the third team as a catcher. It was the first Preseason All-America nod for Dyer and the fifth for Wells heading into the 2020 campaign.
Arizona was one of just three Pac-12 schools with multiple players selected to the NCBWA Preseason All-America teams.
Dyer was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention squad in 2019 after logging time in 42 games with the Cats. He posted a .393 batting average to go along with 46 runs scored, 18 extra-base hits, 28 RBI, a .480 on-base percentage, and a .571 slugging percentage. His strong performances at and behind the plate last season also earned Dyer inclusion on the 2019 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award watch list.
Wells — who has already been tabbed a Preseason All-American by Baseball America, D1Baseball, Perfect Game, and Collegiate Baseball — added to his growing tally with the third-team selection. After a dominant freshman season in 2019 with a .353 batting average, 73 runs scored, 27 extra-base hits, and 60 RBI he was tabbed as Arizona’s first-ever Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Wells followed it up with a strong showing for the Y-D Red Sox in the Cape Cod League that earned him the circuit’s Outstanding Pro Prospect Award at the conclusion of the summer.
Fans first opportunity to see Dyer, Wells, and the rest of the Wildcats in action comes tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 7 at Hi Corbett Field in the program’s annual Meet the Team scrimmage. Complete details on the event can be found HERE.
The Wildcats officially open their 2020 season on Friday, Feb. 14 against the University at Albany. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. MST at Hi Corbett Field.
Press Release courtesy of Arizona Communication Services
