Jaksa Adds Third Freshman All-America Honor

EUGENE, Ore. – Following a stellar freshman season, Oregon's Brayden Jaksa has been named a second-team freshman All-American as a first baseman by Baseball America.

The All-America honor is the third for Jaksa this month. A versatile player, he was named second-team All-America as a catcher by the NCBWA as well as a second-team pick as a first baseman by Perfect Game.

Jaksa (Freemont, Calif. / Irvington HS) finished his freshman campaign slashing .318/.400/.534 with a .934 OPS. He had 17 extra-base hits (10 HR, 1 3B, 6 2B) with 36 RBI, 34 runs scored and seven stolen bases. He finished third on the team in both batting average and stolen bases. Jaksa made 44 starts as a true freshman, including 22 at first base. He also made 15 starts at catcher, six in left field and one in right field.

Jaksa was joined on the second team by teammate Angel Laya, who was named first-team freshman All-America by Perfect Game earlier this month.

Laya (San Diego, Calif. / Eastlake HS) earned the opening day starting nod in right field for the Ducks and remained a starter throughout the season starting the fourth most games (59) on the team. He set three Oregon freshman records finishing with 120 total bases, 49 runs scored and 14 home runs (tied with teammate Naulivou Lauaki Jr.). Laya slashed .296/.396/.538 with a .934 OPS. He had 25 extra base hits (10 2B, 1 3B), the third most on the team, while driving in 47 runs, the second most on the team.

Oregon Baseball America Freshman All-Americans