Wetzel Named Pre-Season All -American

JACKSON, Miss. — Garner Wetzel, a senior from Gulfport, Miss., was recently named as the pre-season candidate for NCAA Division III Player of the Year in the latest issue of Baseball America. Wetzel, who started at shortstop for the Millsaps Majors last season, was also included on the Division III Pre-Season All-American Team as the starting shortstop.

Adding to the list of honors from Baseball America, Wetzel was also included among the top 50 Major League Baseball prospects. Wetzel is listed as the 28th best draft prospect among all college seniors, all positions, across all NCAA divisions.

During the 2005 season Wetzel batted .422 for the Majors, led the SCAC with 12 home runs, and drove in 51 runs. Following the 2005 season Wetzel was named SCAC Offensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Boo Ferris award, recognizing the best college baseball player in the state of Mississippi.

Last June, Wetzel was selected in the 10th round by the Colorado Rockies in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. After suffering an injury last summer Wetzel opted for corrective surgery and to play out his senior season for the Majors.

The Majors begin their season on the road, February 10 at East Texas Baptist in Marshall, Tex.