TUCSON, Ariz. – One of the nation's best breakout sluggers this season, Virginia Tech rookie first baseman Garrett Michel has been named a 2023 Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, as announced by the outlet on Wednesday.
Michel's first season in Blacksburg was highlighted by a plethora of power at-bats as the native of Denver, North Carolina, led Tech in doubles (16) while mashing 11 home runs to the tune of a .626 slugging percentage – a tie for the 15th best mark in the ACC (at time of release). From the left side of the plate, he posted the Hokies' second highest batting average (.339) this spring in addition to chalking the program's fourth highest ACC-era on-base percentage (.465).
Starting during 51 of Tech's 53 games, Michel batted from all but two positions in the Hokies' lineup this season, compiling 58 hits while accounting for 45 RBIs. Fueled by his 37 walks, Michel's on-base percentage ranked as the 11th highest among ACC players (at time of release), leading him to score the third most runs on the team (51).
Among Virginia Tech's first-year standouts, Michel becomes the Hokies' 11th all-time Freshman All-American and the fourth such honoree to be crowned within the last three seasons. Considering first basemen, he joins the company of Sean O'Brien (2004) in the annals of Tech cornermen who have garnered Freshman All-American praise by the sport's leading publications.
Selected to the 2023 ACC All-Freshman Team, Michel took over as the Hokies' everyday first baseman in March, during which he batted .392 (20-for-51) with five doubles, five homers and 19 RBIs. On March 22 against VMI, he hammered his first collegiate grand slam in front of the home fans at English Field, sending Tech well on its way to the 11-0, shutout victory against its in-state adversary.
By May, Michel welcomed the role as the Hokies' leadoff hitter, from where he batted .375 and held a .512 on-base percentage during the final nine games of the season. As the final act of his rookie campaign, he went 3-for-5 against No. 6 Clemson at the 2023 ACC Baseball Championship, notching his 17th multi-hit game of the season.
Michel peaked at five RBIs on two occasions during his rookie season, registering four run-scoring plate appearances in victory at Pitt (March 25) and three more during Tech's blowout win at Liberty (May 10).
This summer, Michel will suit up with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) alongside his Virginia Tech classmate, Jacob Exum. Together, the pair represent two of the eight Hokies who will open on CCBL rosters when the season commences this Saturday, June 10.
