University of Houston Athletics
Photo by: Erik Williams
Hernandez, Cougars Highlighted by Perfect Game
1/22/2021 4:16:00 PM | Baseball
Houston paces AAC with 14 top MLB Draft prospects
HOUSTON – Houston first baseman Ryan Hernandez has been named to Perfect Game's preseason all-American Athletic Conference team while a conference-best 14 Cougars were recognized among the league's top prospects for their respective MLB Draft classes.
Hernandez, who led The American in home runs (5) and finished fifth in the conference in total bases (39) a season ago, was recognized as preseason all-conference at first base. The Boston native led the Cougars in average (.300), hits (18) and runs (13) in 2020.
A conference-leading nine Houston student-athletes were recognized among the league's top prospects for the 2021 MLB Draft including left-handed pitcher Cameron Prayer (9), first baseman Ryan Hernandez (10), outfielder Steven Rivas (11), right-hander Jaycob Deese (12), right-hander Ben Sears (13), right-hander Derrick Cherry (15), outfielder Brandon Uhse (17), left-hander Robert Gasser (21) and righty Sean Bretz (22).
Houston also paced all schools with four top prospects for the 2022 draft in infielder Brad Burckel (9), catcher Dylan Post (10), outfielder Johnathon Thomas (11) and infielder Luke Almendarez (12). Right-hander Patrick Dunn was also recognized as the league's No. 4 overall prospect in the 2023 class.
Perfect Game on the 2021 Houston Cougars …
"There will be a lot of new faces on the field for the Cougars this year but quite possibly the biggest weapon in Houston's everyday lineup will be back in first baseman Ryan Hernandez. The Preseason All-AAC first baseman has the best hit tool on the team and was off to a powerful start to a shortened 2020 season where he hit 10 extra-base hits, with five of them being homers in the Cougars' 15 games. This is a pitching-heavy group according to Head Coach Todd Whitting with a lot of new faces, but JUCO transfer Ben Sears is a player with plus command on the hill and is expected to make an immediate impact to the Cougars pitching staff. Joining Sears on the pitching staff are hard-throwing right-hander Jaycob Deese and sophomore left-hander Cameron Prayer."
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
Hernandez, who led The American in home runs (5) and finished fifth in the conference in total bases (39) a season ago, was recognized as preseason all-conference at first base. The Boston native led the Cougars in average (.300), hits (18) and runs (13) in 2020.
A conference-leading nine Houston student-athletes were recognized among the league's top prospects for the 2021 MLB Draft including left-handed pitcher Cameron Prayer (9), first baseman Ryan Hernandez (10), outfielder Steven Rivas (11), right-hander Jaycob Deese (12), right-hander Ben Sears (13), right-hander Derrick Cherry (15), outfielder Brandon Uhse (17), left-hander Robert Gasser (21) and righty Sean Bretz (22).
Houston also paced all schools with four top prospects for the 2022 draft in infielder Brad Burckel (9), catcher Dylan Post (10), outfielder Johnathon Thomas (11) and infielder Luke Almendarez (12). Right-hander Patrick Dunn was also recognized as the league's No. 4 overall prospect in the 2023 class.
New year. New opportunity.
— Houston Baseball (@UHCougarBB) January 1, 2021
🎉 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ 🎉 #M64 x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/AiM8vn4Ffm
Perfect Game on the 2021 Houston Cougars …
"There will be a lot of new faces on the field for the Cougars this year but quite possibly the biggest weapon in Houston's everyday lineup will be back in first baseman Ryan Hernandez. The Preseason All-AAC first baseman has the best hit tool on the team and was off to a powerful start to a shortened 2020 season where he hit 10 extra-base hits, with five of them being homers in the Cougars' 15 games. This is a pitching-heavy group according to Head Coach Todd Whitting with a lot of new faces, but JUCO transfer Ben Sears is a player with plus command on the hill and is expected to make an immediate impact to the Cougars pitching staff. Joining Sears on the pitching staff are hard-throwing right-hander Jaycob Deese and sophomore left-hander Cameron Prayer."
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
1B
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballMedia Availability: HC Todd Whitting, Antoine Jean, Malachi Lott
Friday, May 23
Media Availability: HC Todd Whitting, Connor McGinnis, Andres Perez
Thursday, May 22
Highlights: Houston 9, Kansas State 2
Thursday, May 22
Highlights: Houston 13, Arizona 4
Thursday, May 15