RosenblattReport.com Tabs Diamond Hogs 14th; Hamblin Schmidt Named Third-Team All-Americans

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –– The RosenblattReport.com released its 2006 Preseason Top 35 baseball poll on Tuesday with Arkansas ranked 14th.

The internet site also tabbed junior first baseman Danny Hamblin and sophomore pitcher Nick Schmidt as third-team All-Americans.

RosenblattReport.com chose defending national champion Texas as its top team with Rice ranked second, SEC-foe Florida third, Clemson fourth and Oregon State fifth.

The Hogs were the third-highest SEC team in the poll with South Carolina coming in at No. 11. Tennessee followed the Razorbacks in 15th and Mississippi State was 16th. Overall, eight SEC schools were among the RosenblattReport.com’s top 35.

Hamblin earned preseason All-America honors after leading Arkansas in almost every offensive category as a sophomore. The Rowlett, Texas, native hit .341 with 19 doubles, 10 home runs, a .420 on-base percentage and a .573 slugging percentage.

The left-handed Schmidt was named to the third-team after a stellar freshman campaign. As the Hogs’ No. 1 starter, he posted an 8-2 record with a 2.80 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 99.2 innings. Schmidt was named the SEC Freshman of the Year by SEBaseball.com and was on everyone’s freshmen All-America team in 2005.

Note:
Collegiate Baseball’s
Fabulous 40 Preseason baseball poll was released late last week with Arkansas ranked 33rd.