Breaking: Drew Gilbert Selected in MLB Draft
Former Tennessee Baseball center fielder and cleanup hitter Drew Gilbert has been selected 28th overall by the Houston Astors in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Gilbert is the first Volunteer to be selected in the draft.
Gilbert has been mocked as a first-round pick all offseason in this area, making his selection in the latter half of the first round an expected one.
Gilbert enters the Astros farm system after a great three years at Tennessee, as the Stillwater, Minnesota, native being an instrumental part in the Vols' back-to-back 50-win seasons in 2021 and 2022.
Originally a two-way player on Rocky Top, Gilbert shifted to becoming an elite center fielder for the Vols while serving as the cleanup hitter the majority of the 2021 season and all of the 2022 season.
Gilbert was recognized plenty for his incredible efforts on at the plate and defensively. Below are his career honors courtesy UT Athletics.
CAREER HONORS
- 2022 NCBWA All-American -- 1st Team
- 2022 ABCA/Rawlings All-American -- 2nd Team
- 2022 Baseball America All-American -- 2nd Team
- 2022 Collegiate Baseball All-American -- 2nd Team
- 2022 Perfect Game All-American -- 2nd Team
- 2022 D1Baseball.com All-American -- 3rd Team
- 2022 ABCA/Rawlings Southeast All-Region -- 1st Team
- 2022 NCAA Knoxville Regional All-Tournament Team
- 2022 SEC Tournament MVP
- 2022 SEC Tournament All-Tournament Team
- 2022 All-SEC -- 1st Team
- 2022 SEC All-Defensive Team
- 2022 D1Baseball.com Midseason All-America Team
- 2022 Preseason All-SEC - 2nd Team
- 2021 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team
- 2021 NCAA Knoxville Regional Most Outstanding Player
- SEC Newcomer of the Week -- May 10, 2021
- SEC Newcomer of the Week -- April 26, 2021
- 2021 NCBWA Preseason Second Team All-American
- No. 26 on D1Baseball.com's Top 2022 College MLB Draft SEC Prospects List
- 2019-20 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
Gilbert was one of many Tennessee BaseVols that exhibited the Vols' villain style mentality, and the electric outfielder has been one of the top fan favorites of the past two seasons. Now, Gilbert is an Astro, one of the most disliked teams in the league, keeping Gilbert on the villain side of things.
From his grand slam against Wright State in the 2021 NCAA Regionals to an outstanding showing in the Vols' first SEC Tournament win in 27 years, Gilbert will live in Tennessee Baseball fans' memories for quite some time.
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