Baseball America released their All-American teams for the 2017 season. Florida Gators pitchers Alex Faedo and Michael Byrne were selected to the second, and third teams, respectively.
Faedo has been the Gators Friday night starter for the entire season and finished with a 7-2 record and a 2.70 ERA. Faedo has struck out 123 batters in 103.1 innings pitched while allowing opposing hitters to bat at a .221 clip. Faedo is expected to be an early-to-mid first round pick in this year’s MLB draft. Faedo will likely be on the mound when Florida kicks off Super Regional play against Wake Forest on Saturday at 3:00 PM.
Michael Byrne may be the surprise of the season for Florida. Byrne began the year making midweek starts, but eventually found himself closing games regularly. Byrne, whose fastball tops out in the high 80s, set the school record for saves with 16 (and counting). Byrne carries a team best 1.55 ERA in 32 appearances. In his 63.2 innings of work, Byrne has struck out 74 batters while only walking 12. Hitters are only batting .210 against the righty.
Florida will face Wake Forest in a best of three series this weekend at McKethan Stadium.