University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Michael Ananea
Goodman, Brooks named to Preseason All-Conference Team
Dec 30, 2020 | Baseball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Nearing the start of the 2021 season, the American Athletic Conference released its Preseason All-Conference Team and preseason poll Wednesday, highlighted by a pair of Memphis representatives.
Sophomore catcher Hunter Goodman, a unanimous selection, and junior shortstop Ben Brooks were named to the Preseason All-Conference Team, with Goodman being voted the league's Preseason Player of the Year. Additionally, the Tigers were voted to finish seventh in the conference.
Wednesday's announcement marks the second consecutive season the Tigers had multiple representatives on the league's annual Preseason All-Conference Team as Goodman and Alec Trela were named to the list ahead of the 2020 season.
Goodman also became the second Tiger named Preseason Player of the Year in the league's eight-year history, joining Darien Tubbs in 2016.
Named a Preseason All-American earlier this month, Goodman heads into his third season with the club holding a .333 batting average with 21 home runs, 98 RBI and 13 stolen bases for his collegiate career. Last season, Goodman hit .357 while ranking third nationally with eight home runs and 31 RBI and sixth in the country with 52 total bases through 17 games.
Brooks looks to build upon a breakout season at the plate in 2020, leading the team with career-best .368 average. Brooks also led the squad in hits (25), runs scored (19) and doubles (5), while ranking second on the team with three homers and 18 RBI. The Nashville native enters the season with a .279 average, 78 runs scored, four homers and 42 RBI.
Preseason Poll
First-place votes in parenthesis
Preseason Player of the Year
Hunter Goodman, So., C, Memphis
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Braden Olthoff, R-Jr., Tulane
Preseason All-Conference Team
P - Colton Gordon, R-So., UCF
P - Evan Shawver, Jr., Cincinnati
P - Jake Kuchmaner, Jr., East Carolina*
P - Braden Olthoff, R-Jr., Tulane*
P - Liam Eddy, Jr., Wichita State
RP - Jack Sinclair, Jr., UCF
C - Hunter Goodman, So., Memphis*
1B - Ryan Hernandez, Jr., Houston
2B - Connor Norby, So., East Carolina
SS - Ben Brooks, Jr., Memphis
3B - Eric Santiago, Gr., Cincinnati
3B - Trevor Minder, R-Jr., Tulane
OF - Thomas Francisco, So., East Carolina
OF - Bryson Worrell, Jr., East Carolina*
OF - Couper Cornblum, So., Wichita State
DH - Wyatt Stapp, Sr., Cincinnati*
* denotes unanimous selection
Sophomore catcher Hunter Goodman, a unanimous selection, and junior shortstop Ben Brooks were named to the Preseason All-Conference Team, with Goodman being voted the league's Preseason Player of the Year. Additionally, the Tigers were voted to finish seventh in the conference.
Wednesday's announcement marks the second consecutive season the Tigers had multiple representatives on the league's annual Preseason All-Conference Team as Goodman and Alec Trela were named to the list ahead of the 2020 season.
Goodman also became the second Tiger named Preseason Player of the Year in the league's eight-year history, joining Darien Tubbs in 2016.
Named a Preseason All-American earlier this month, Goodman heads into his third season with the club holding a .333 batting average with 21 home runs, 98 RBI and 13 stolen bases for his collegiate career. Last season, Goodman hit .357 while ranking third nationally with eight home runs and 31 RBI and sixth in the country with 52 total bases through 17 games.
Brooks looks to build upon a breakout season at the plate in 2020, leading the team with career-best .368 average. Brooks also led the squad in hits (25), runs scored (19) and doubles (5), while ranking second on the team with three homers and 18 RBI. The Nashville native enters the season with a .279 average, 78 runs scored, four homers and 42 RBI.
Preseason Poll
| East Carolina (7) | 49 |
| UCF | 39 |
| Tulane (1) | 36 |
| Houston | 34 |
| Wichita State | 25 |
| Cincinnati | 15 |
| Memphis | 14 |
| USF | 12 |
First-place votes in parenthesis
Preseason Player of the Year
Hunter Goodman, So., C, Memphis
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Braden Olthoff, R-Jr., Tulane
Preseason All-Conference Team
P - Colton Gordon, R-So., UCF
P - Evan Shawver, Jr., Cincinnati
P - Jake Kuchmaner, Jr., East Carolina*
P - Braden Olthoff, R-Jr., Tulane*
P - Liam Eddy, Jr., Wichita State
RP - Jack Sinclair, Jr., UCF
C - Hunter Goodman, So., Memphis*
1B - Ryan Hernandez, Jr., Houston
2B - Connor Norby, So., East Carolina
SS - Ben Brooks, Jr., Memphis
3B - Eric Santiago, Gr., Cincinnati
3B - Trevor Minder, R-Jr., Tulane
OF - Thomas Francisco, So., East Carolina
OF - Bryson Worrell, Jr., East Carolina*
OF - Couper Cornblum, So., Wichita State
DH - Wyatt Stapp, Sr., Cincinnati*
* denotes unanimous selection
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Baseball
C/UTL
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballWolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - May 14, 2025
Wednesday, May 14
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - May 6, 2025
Wednesday, May 07
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - April 29, 2025
Tuesday, April 29
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - April 22, 2025
Tuesday, April 22