CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois freshman Luke Shilling was selected as the Preseason Big Ten Freshman of the Year by Perfect Game, while also being rated as the No. 19 freshman in the nation.
The Fighting Illini were predicted to finish in fifth place of the Big Ten as part of Perfect Game's conference preview. Jason Goldstein, Adam Walton and Cody Sedlock were selected to the Preseason All-Conference first team. Shilling is joined as a forecasted award winner by Nebraska centerfielder Ryan Boldt was picked Player of the Year and Maryland right-hander Mike Shawaryn was selected as the Pitcher of the Year.
Shilling, a native of Clarkston, Michigan, was drafted in the 20th round of last year's MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers before deciding to honor his commitment to Illinois. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound freshman could see time on the mound and at first base this season.
| PERFECT GAME B1G PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE |
|---|
| Pos. | Player | Yr. | School |
| C | Jason Goldstein | Sr. | Illinois |
| 1B | Kyle Wood | Sr. | Purdue |
| MIF | Adam Walton | Jr. | Illinois |
| MIF | Kevin Smith | So. | Maryland |
| 3B | Mason McCoy | Jr. | Iowa |
| OF | Craig Dedelow | Jr. | Indiana |
| OF | Troy Montgomery | Jr. | Ohio State |
| OF | Ryan Boldt | Jr. | Nebraska |
| DH | Ronnie Dawson | Jr. | Ohio State |
| UT | Carmen Benedetti | Jr. | Michigan |
| SP | Mike Shawaryn | Jr. | Maryland |
| SP | Kyle Hart | Sr. | Indiana |
| SP | Tyler Peyton | Sr. | Iowa |
| SP | Cody Sedlock | Jr. | Illinois |
| RP | Bryan Pall | So. | Michigan |
