Iowa’s Jake Adams earns Big Ten Player of the Year plaudits
ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Big Ten on Tuesday announced the 2017 Baseball the individual award winners and All-Big Ten teams, as selected by the conference coaches. Iowa’s Jake Adams was named the unanimous Big Ten Player of the Year, Maryland’s Brian Shaffer earned Pitcher of the Year recognition, Maryland’s Tyler Blohm claimed Freshman of the Year honors and Nebraska head coach Darin Erstad was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Adams becomes the second Iowa standout to claim Big Ten Player of the Year honors, and the first since Brett Backlund in 1992. A first baseman for the Hawkeyes, Adams ranks first in the Big Ten in homeruns (24), RBI (65), hits (73) and total bases (159) and ranks second in runs scored with 48.
Shaffer becomes the first Maryland hurler to earn Big Ten Pitcher of the Year accolades. In all games, the right-handed starter currently leads the Big Ten with a 1.67 ERA, ranks second in strikeouts (98) and third in opponent’s batting average (.206).
Blohm is the first Maryland player to capture Big Ten Freshman of the Year plaudits. The starting pitcher has held his opponents to a .228 batting average and is tied for first in the Big Ten with eight total wins, including four in Big Ten play.
Erstad was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the first time in his career and is the first Nebraska coach to receive the honor. Erstad guided the Cornhuskers to their first-ever Big Ten Championship this season.
The Big Ten also announced the Sportsmanship Award honorees from each institution. The students chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These students must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
The complete list of All-Big Ten teams and award winners can be found below.
Player of the Year
JAKE ADAMS, Iowa
Pitcher of the Year
Brian Shaffer, Maryland
Freshman of the Year
Tyler Blohm, Maryland
Coach of the Year
Darin Erstad, Nebraska
All-Big Ten First Team
C – Cole McDevitt, Minnesota
1B – JAKE ADAMS, Iowa
2B – Ako Thomas, Michigan
SS – Michael Brdar, Michigan
3B – Drew Lugbauer, Michigan
OF – Jack Yalowitz, Illinois
OF – Marty Costes, Maryland
OF – Joe Hoscheit, Northwestern
DH – Scott Schreiber, Nebraska
UTIL – Jake Meyers, Nebraska
SP – Brian Shaffer, Maryland
SP – Oliver Jaskie, Michigan
SP – Lucas Gilbreath, Minnesota
RP – Jackson Lamb, Michigan
All-Big Ten Second Team
C – Tyler Cropley, Iowa
1B – Pat McInerney, Illinois
2B – Dan Durkin, Michigan State
SS – Mason McCoy, Iowa
3B – Micah Coffey, Minnesota
OF – Logan Sowers, Indiana
OF – Robert Neustrom, Iowa
OF – Brandon Hughes, Michigan State
DH – Chad Roskelly, Michigan State
UTIL – Matt Lloyd, Indiana
SP – Nick Gallagher, Iowa
SP – Alex Troop, Michigan State
SP – Sal Biasi, Penn State
RP – Brian Glowicki, Minnesota
All-Big Ten Third Team
C – Nick Matera, Rutgers
1B – Toby Hanson, Minnesota
2B – Michael Massey, Illinois
SS – Angelo Altavilla, Nebraska
3B – AJ Lee, Maryland
OF – Craig Dedelow, Indiana
OF – Johnny Slater, Michigan
OF – Dominic Canzone, Ohio State
DH – Chris Folinusz, Rutgers
UTIL – Mike Carter, Rutgers
SP – Pauly Milto, Indiana
SP – Jake Hohensee, Nebraska
SP – Gareth Stroh, Purdue
RP – Mac Lozer, Michigan
All-Big Ten Freshman Team
C – Bryce Bonner, Purdue
1B – MATT GORSKI, Indiana
2B – Michael Massey, Illinois
SS – Jeremy Houston, Indiana
3B – LUKE ROSKAM, Nebraska
OF – Bryce Kelley, Michigan State
OF – DOMINIC CANZONE, Ohio State
OF – Skyler Hunter, Purdue
DH – Casey Dodge, Illinois
UTIL – Jordan Kozicky, Minnesota
SP – TYLER BLOHM, Maryland
SP – Hank Christie, Northwestern
SP – Cal Krueger, Indiana
RP – Tommy Henry, Michigan
Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Anthony Drago, Illinois
Tony Butler, Indiana
Corbin Woods, Iowa
Zach Jancarski, Maryland
Michael Brdar, Michigan
Dan Durkin, Michigan State
Matt Stemper, Minnesota
Ben Miller, Nebraska
Cooper Wetherbee, Northwestern
Jalen Washington, Ohio State
Alex Malinsky, Penn State
Hayden Grant, Purdue
Max Herrmann, Rutgers
Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS