Jan. 31, 2013

Tweet

DURHAM, N.C. -

Andrew Knapp, Cal's talented switch-hitting junior catcher, has been selected a first-team Preseason All-American by Baseball America, it was announced today by the national baseball publication. Knapp was outstanding this past summer in the prestigious Cape Cod League for the Chatham Anglers, batting .293 with 13 doubles, eight home runs and 29 RBI in 40 games. He is Cal's first, first-team Preseason All-American since Chicago Cub Brett Jackson earned the honor in 2009.

Knapp's performance in the Cape Cod League was his second straight outstanding summer season. He had led the Northwoods League in hitting in 2011, batting .500 with five home runs and 33 RBI. Baseball America annually polls major league scouting directors to vote on the team and make their selections based on performance, talent and professional potential. In the past, the preseason All-America team has been a predictor both of the first round of the draft and of team success. Jackson was a first round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs following the 2009 college season.

Knapp has Golden Bear baseball heritage as he is the son of former Cal catcher Mike Knapp, who was a standout for the Bears in 1985 and 1986. A highlight of the 2012 Cal Alumni Game on Oct. 21 at Evans Diamond was the father-son combination of Mike and Andrew Knapp. Andrew Knapp had an RBI double and an RBI single for Cal, while father Mike had two hits on the day, including an RBI single in the sixth inning. The Cal varsity won the Alumni Game, 5-3, against a talented Alumni squad.

In addition, the younger brother of Andrew Knapp, Aaron, is a left-handed hitting outfielder from Granite Bay High School who will be joining David Esquer's program in the fall of 2013 as a member of Cal baseball's 2012 signing class.

Last season, Andrew Knapp was a valuable utility player for Esquer, seeing action at first base, catcher and in the outfield. He batted .265 in 54 games with 16 doubles, five home runs and 26 RBI. As a freshman in 2011, he had the game-winning pinch hit in a 6-5 come-from-behind win over Utah in the second game of a doubleheader during his first collegiate day at Evans Diamond.

The Bears feature 26 home games this season, including hosting a three-game series against Michigan, Feb. 15-17 in Berkeley, to open the 2013 campaign. Cal's non-conference schedule also includes a four-game series at UC Irvine, three games at the Houston College Classic (versus Baylor, North Carolina and Houston at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros) and a four-game home series versus Fresno State. Cal will also be hosting Pac-12 series versus USC, Oregon, Washington State, Arizona State and Stanford this spring at Evans Diamond.

Cal Baseball fans should also make plans to attend the second annual Fan Fest, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Evans Diamond. Following the Fan Fest festivities, there will be a Blue-Gold intrasquad scrimmage beginning at 1 p.m.