NCBWA Full Release
Dallas, Texas – (February 17, 2021) - After a season shortened by COVID‐19 and no NCAA Championship activity in 2020, the 21st annual NCBWA Division I preseason All‐America teams bring hope to student‐athletes, coaches and fans awaiting the beginning of 2021 DI play.
Among the preseason honorees is Fordham outfielder/pitcher
Alvin Melendez (Whitestone, N.Y./Cardozo), who was selected to the preseason All-American Third Team.
All told, there are 18 different conferences represented, along with players with 11 conference championship teams from the completed 2019 campaign. There are 21 schools represented in 2019 NCAA Regionals and numerous preseason conference players and pitchers of the year on all three NCBWA teams.
Melendez returns to Rose Hill in 2021 as a fifth-year senior, after putting together an excellent start in 2020. At the plate before the season shutdown, he was batting .392 with eight runs scored, six doubles, 15 RBI, and six stolen bases. Additionally on the mound, he made five relief appearances, posting a win and a save to go with a 0.90 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 10 innings of work.
For his career, Melendez has worked his way into the record books as both a hitter and a pitcher. He currently stands eighth all-time in stolen bases with 73, while his 2.34 career ERA and 13 saves are both sixth all-time.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official website www.ncbwa.com. The preseason All‐America squads are considered the first step toward the eventual selection of the 2021 Dick Howser Trophy presented by the Game Headwear and voted upon for 24 seasons by members of the NCBWA.
