Auburn shortstop Ryan Bliss and right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts were named Preseason third team All-America by Baseball America.
It is the third honor for Bliss, who has also been named Preseason third team All-America by Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game/Rawlings.
It was the second for Fitts, who earned Preseason second team All-America honors from D1 Baseball.
A native of LaGrange, Georgia, Bliss ranked second in the SEC and sixth in the country in hits (29) in 2020. He also appeared in the top 10 in the league in runs (21), doubles (seven), triples (two) and total bases (46).
Making the move from second base to shortstop prior to the 2020 season, Bliss started in all 18 games and didn’t commit an error in 58 chances en route to earning third team All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball at the position. He enters the 2021 season regarded by Baseball America as the No. 76 overall prospect for the 2021 MLB Draft.
Fitts has also emerged as one of the top prospects ahead of the 2021 season. He has been ranked the No. 8 and No. 9 college prospect by Perfect Game and D1 Baseball, respectively, and has been tabbed the No. 13 overall prospect by Perfect Game, the No. 15 overall prospect by Baseball America and the No. 17 overall prospect by MLB.com.
Fitts has posted a 6-3 record with a 4.88 ERA in 27 appearances. He went 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in six appearances as a sophomore.
