Three FIU freshmen were named among the Top 10 Newcomers in Conference USA by Baseball America on Thursday.
Logan Allen,
Christian Santana and
Jose Garcia were the three freshmen to make the list. In addition, sophomore pitchers
Nick MacDonald and
Tyler Myrick were named among the Top 10 2019 MLB Draft Prospects in C-USA.
Allen, who was also named the preseason Freshman of the Year by Baseball America, arrives at FIU as a left-handed pitcher/first baseman. Last season at University High, Allen threw a no-hitter, hit a home run and drove in all four runs in a 4-0 win in the state playoffs. Allen was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in last summer's Major League Baseball Draft.
Santana, who was ranked as the No. 2 freshman behind Allen, pitched at American Heritage last season where he posted a 0.82 ERA. The right-hander is expected to both start and work out of the bullpen this season for the Panthers. Santana was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers last summer.
Garcia, who is expected to split the catching duties with sophomore
Javier Valdes this season, played at Doral Academy last season. Garcia was ranked as the No. 4 freshman by Baseball America. Garcia was the Class 7A Player and Hitter of the Year in Miami-Dade County in 2017. Garcia was drafted by the Boston Red Sox last year.
MacDonald (7-3, 4.29 ERA) led the Panthers with seven wins last season as a freshman. Myrick (6-2) led the FIU pitching staff with a 3.73 ERA. Both MacDonald and Myrick were named Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper in 2017.
FIU opens the 2018 season at home against Missouri next Friday, Feb. 16. First pitch on Opening Day is at 7 p.m.