TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Despite missing the first 26 games of the season due to various injuries, freshman Drew Mendoza was named a second team Freshman All-American by Baseball America, the publication announced Monday morning. Mendoza led all FSU freshmen with 10 home runs and 33 runs batted in, and his five postseason home runs were the most for the Seminoles this season.
Mendoza came through in the biggest moments for FSU this year, hitting a pair of home runs against No. 2 North Carolina in FSU’s 7-3 win in the ACC Championship Game and two more in the College World Series. The Minneola, Fla., native also hit a pair of home runs and had six RBI against Jacksonville on May 9, becoming the first FSU freshman with six RBI in a game since DJ Stewart in 2013.
Mendoza missed the first 26 games of the year and debuted against North Carolina on March 31. After going 0-10 against the Tar Heels, Mendoza went 6-for-12 at North Carolina State the following weekend, including his first career home run in the Sunday finale.
Mendoza previously earned Freshman All-ACC and All-ACC Tournament recognition, as well as Freshman All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball.
This is the second consecutive season that Florida State has had a Baseball America Freshman All-American. In 2016, Cal Raleigh (first team catcher) and Tyler Holton (second team utility) were both recognized.
Baseball America Freshman First Team All-Americans
C Shae Langeliers, Baylor
1B Andrew Vaugh, California
2B Braden Shewmake, Texas A&M
3B Josh Jung, Texas Tech
SS Cam Shepherd, Georgia
OF Dominic Fletcher, Arkansas
OF Grant Little, Texas Tech
OF Matt Wallner, Southern Mississippi
DH Ashton McGee, North Carolina
UTL Kevin Milarm, St. Mary’s
SP Gianluca Dalatri, North Carolina
SP Shane McClanahan, South Florida
SP Sean Mooney, St. John’s
SP Eric Walker, Louisiana State
RP Josh Hiatt, North Carolina
RP Kenyon Yovan, Oregon
Baseball America Freshman Second Team All-Americans
C James Free, Pacific
1B Drew Mendoza, Florida State
2B Michael Massey, Illinois
3B Nick Quintana, Arizona
SS Logan Davidson, Clemson
OF Spencer Brickhouse, East Carolina
OF Carlos Cortes, South Carolina
OF Zach Watson, Louisiana State
DH Brad Debo, North Carolina State
UTL Rylan Thomas, Central Florida
SP Nick Bennett, Louisville
SP Tyler Blohm, Maryland
SP Nick Lodolo, Texas Christian
SP Zach Thompson, Kentucky
RP Jake Mulholland, Oregon State
RP Riley Self, Mississippi State
For more information on Florida State baseball, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, or keep up with the team on social media through Twitter (@FSUBaseball), Facebook (/FSUBaseball), and Instagram (@NoleBaseball).