BYU Baseball: Zimmerman named Freshman All-American

BYU Baseball’s Drew Zimmerman earned Freshman All-American honors. The Cougar closer dominated in the back-end of the bullpen in 2018.

After a disappointing 2018 season, BYU Baseball has at least one piece of news that points to a brighter future.

On Wednesday, Collegiate Baseball Magazine named Drew Zimmerman to their Freshman All-American team.

The Cougar closer is one of 23 relief pitchers on Baseball Magazine’s team, and one of 122 players overall that were honored.

Yes, that’s a really, really big team of freshmen. But still, it’s quite an honor for Zimmerman. He’s one of only four players from the West Coast Conference to make the team. The others are:

• Adam Kerner (C) – San Diego
• Shane McGuire (1B) – San Diego
• Ernie Yake (3B) – Gonzaga

In 2018, Zimmerman appeared in 23 games. He went 2-3, pitching 45 innings, finishing with a 2.40 ERA and striking out 40 batters. He led the team in both ERA and saves (5).

Zimmerman was one of the few bright spots in 2018. Before the season started, the media picked BYU to win the WCC. Instead, the Cougars went 22-28, including an 11-16 record in conference. Instead of winning the WCC, they finished in a tie for last.

Fortunately, BYU has room to grow. The Cougars only lose six seniors, four of which played a large part in the last season.

They may lose two other players, though. On Wednesday, both Daniel Schneemann and David Clawson were selected in the MLB Draft. Schneemann went in the 33rd round to the Cleveland Indians, and Clawson went in the 37th round to the Los Angeles Angels.

If both players decide to turn pro, the Cougars will also have to replace their starting shortstop and catcher.

But at least they have one of the best young closers in the country coming back in 2019.