ROSEMONT, Ill. – As Purdue baseball's most-experienced hitter and top two prospects for the 2020 MLB Draft, Skyler Hunter, Bo Hofstra and Zac Fascia were selected to represent the program on the Big Ten's preseason honors list.
Last season, Hunter led the Big Ten with six triples and Fascia threw out a league-high 18 base stealers. Hofstra was recognized as an All-Big Ten relief pitcher. Together, Hunter, Hofstra and Fascia led the Boilermakers in seven additional statistics in 2019 – doubles, home runs, RBI, runs scored, slugging percentage, ERA and saves.
Hunter is in line to close out his career as a four-year starter in center field. The switch-hitter has batted over .300 each of his first three seasons while racking up 204 career hits. He became just the sixth Boilermaker to register his 200th career hit as a junior. The Oregon native has recorded a 20-game reached base safely streak in three different seasons and been on base in 72 of the 78 games he played against Big Ten opponents.
Purdue's all-time hits record in 279, set by Daryl Hallada (1997-00). Hunter had 78 hits as a sophomore in 2018 while helping lead the Boilermakers to a memorable 38-win season. The team's all-time triples record is 13, held by three players, and has stood since the 1980s. Hunter has 11 career triples.
Fascia was selected by the New York Mets in the 2018 MLB Draft and passed on some professional opportunities last summer to return for his senior season. He made 39 of his 53 starts behind the plate in 2019, catching 79 consecutive innings from March 19 to April 5. The left-handed hitting Canadian posted a 15-game hit streak late in the season, Purdue's longest since 2011, and was recognized as the team's offensive player of the year. He worked with a pitching staff that set team records for strikeouts (477) and Ks per nine innings (9.10).
Hofstra's 47 strikeouts in 39 innings were also a big reason why the Boilermakers eclipsed those team records. His 1.62 ERA ranked second among Purdue sophomores with a minimum 20 innings. After pitching in a team-high 52 games over the last two seasons, the 6-foot-5 fireballer should have an opportunity to show what he can do in the weekend rotation as a junior. Based on his success in the bullpen as an underclassman, Hofstra was named to the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year, which recognizes the nation's top reliever.
After not qualifying for the eight-team Big Ten Tournament a year ago, Purdue was predictably not picked among the top six in the conference's preseason poll. The top six is comprised of the league's five NCAA Regional qualifiers last year plus perennial contender Minnesota. The Boilermakers are slated to play five of the top six this season, all but Ohio State. Three of those five – Illinois (27-29), Nebraska (April 10-12) and Indiana (May 8-10) – visit Alexander Field.
Purdue opens its 2020 campaign with a four-game series vs. first-time opponent Hofstra. It's a neutral-site series slated to be played at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, Florida.
BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL (TOP 6)
1.) Michigan
2.) Ohio State
3.) Minnesota
4.) Nebraska
5.) Indiana
6.) Illinois
Last season, Hunter led the Big Ten with six triples and Fascia threw out a league-high 18 base stealers. Hofstra was recognized as an All-Big Ten relief pitcher. Together, Hunter, Hofstra and Fascia led the Boilermakers in seven additional statistics in 2019 – doubles, home runs, RBI, runs scored, slugging percentage, ERA and saves.
Hunter is in line to close out his career as a four-year starter in center field. The switch-hitter has batted over .300 each of his first three seasons while racking up 204 career hits. He became just the sixth Boilermaker to register his 200th career hit as a junior. The Oregon native has recorded a 20-game reached base safely streak in three different seasons and been on base in 72 of the 78 games he played against Big Ten opponents.
Purdue's all-time hits record in 279, set by Daryl Hallada (1997-00). Hunter had 78 hits as a sophomore in 2018 while helping lead the Boilermakers to a memorable 38-win season. The team's all-time triples record is 13, held by three players, and has stood since the 1980s. Hunter has 11 career triples.
Fascia was selected by the New York Mets in the 2018 MLB Draft and passed on some professional opportunities last summer to return for his senior season. He made 39 of his 53 starts behind the plate in 2019, catching 79 consecutive innings from March 19 to April 5. The left-handed hitting Canadian posted a 15-game hit streak late in the season, Purdue's longest since 2011, and was recognized as the team's offensive player of the year. He worked with a pitching staff that set team records for strikeouts (477) and Ks per nine innings (9.10).
Hofstra's 47 strikeouts in 39 innings were also a big reason why the Boilermakers eclipsed those team records. His 1.62 ERA ranked second among Purdue sophomores with a minimum 20 innings. After pitching in a team-high 52 games over the last two seasons, the 6-foot-5 fireballer should have an opportunity to show what he can do in the weekend rotation as a junior. Based on his success in the bullpen as an underclassman, Hofstra was named to the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year, which recognizes the nation's top reliever.
After not qualifying for the eight-team Big Ten Tournament a year ago, Purdue was predictably not picked among the top six in the conference's preseason poll. The top six is comprised of the league's five NCAA Regional qualifiers last year plus perennial contender Minnesota. The Boilermakers are slated to play five of the top six this season, all but Ohio State. Three of those five – Illinois (27-29), Nebraska (April 10-12) and Indiana (May 8-10) – visit Alexander Field.
Purdue opens its 2020 campaign with a four-game series vs. first-time opponent Hofstra. It's a neutral-site series slated to be played at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, Florida.
BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL (TOP 6)
1.) Michigan
2.) Ohio State
3.) Minnesota
4.) Nebraska
5.) Indiana
6.) Illinois