BOCA RATON, Fla. – Nolan Schanuel, a sophomore on the Florida Atlantic University baseball team, has been named to the Perfect Game/Rawlings Preseason All-American team, as announced by the publication on Wednesday.
Schanuel, the Owls’ 2021 freshman starting first baseman, batted third in the lineup much of the season, and led the everyday starters with a .343 batting average, hit .409 with runners in scoring position and had 24-multi-hit games. He is a third-team Perfect Game/Rawlings 2022 preseason honoree.
The Park Vista High School product ended his first collegiate campaign ranked at the top of the Conference USA leaderboard in nearly every hitting category. For his efforts, Schanuel was named Freshman All-America by Collegiate Baseball and by Perfect Game, , and was one of just 13 players earning the Perfect Game First Team honors. He also was an ABCA/Rawlings Second Team All-Region and a Second Team All-C-USA selection.
MAC’S MOMENT
Head Coach John McCormack
On Schanuel being named Third Team All-America
“This is a great honor for Nolan and well deserved,” said McCormack. “He is a terrific player, and I look forward to seeing him play this spring.”
Schanuel began his collegiate career playing first base for the first time in his career, moving from a high school and travel ball outfielder to the position. He did so nearly flawlessly by committing just two errors in 454 chances and was a major factor in the Owls defense leading C-USA with a .978 fielding percentage. He also was a part of 38 double plays.
He undertook a similar challenge in the fall of 2022 by moving to the opposite corner, and when the season opens on Friday, Feb. 18 at home versus Minnesota, Schanuel is expected to be the Owls’ starting third baseman. The move replaces B.J. Murray, who was drafted in 2021 by the Chicago Cubs and who led FAU with 14 home runs in 2021. Schanuel tallied the most total bases for the 2021 Owls with 68 hits, including 11 doubles, a triple and had 11 homers. His 11 homers is tops among the 2022 Owl returners.
FOLLOW ALONG
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