COLUMBIA — "Baseball America" named Missouri pitcher Kyle Gibson and catcher Trevor Coleman to its preseason All-America teams on Monday. Gibson earned a spot on the first team while Coleman was named to the second team.
It marks the third preseason All-America team Gibson has been on. Gibson is expected to become the Friday night starter for the Tigers who are ranked No. 20 in the USA Today/ESPN preseason coaches poll. Gibson replaces Big 12 Conference pitcher of the year Aaron Crow as the Tigers ace.
"I think I learned a lot from watching Aaron Crow pitch the last two years," Gibson said. "I learned how to attack hitters, to pitch the right way and go right after guys."
Coleman, the Tigers starting catcher since his freshman year, hit .295 last season with four home runs and 35 RBIs. Coleman was named to the 2007 freshman All-America team.
The Big 12 had five players named to the All-America teams.
"Baseball America" selects the teams by talking to the scouting staffs of Major League Baseball teams. The team is selected based on performance, talent and professional potential.