February 12, 2020

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Ottawa, Ont., native Jordan Nwogu has been named to the Preseason All-America first team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).

The University of Michigan star received the nod after batting .321 and belting 12 home runs in 64 NCAA contests in his sophomore 2019 season. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound standout, who was born in Canada’s capital, also scored a team-leading 58 runs and posted a .435 on-base percentage (OBP) while serving primarily as a DH and batting out of the leadoff spot for the Wolverines.

His efforts last season earned him selection to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-America second team and All-Mideast Region first team. He was also named to the All-Big Ten first team and was an Academic All-Big Ten selection.

His performance has put him on the radar of major league scouts. Baseball America recently ranked the 21-year-old as the 144th best prospect heading into the 2020 MLB draft in June.

“A beast of an outfielder with a powerful, 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame,” reads Baseball America’s evaluation of him. “Nwogu has immense raw power, but that comes from an extremely funky swing that doesn’t have much precedent. He’s made it work in the Big 10, where he’s a .335/.442/.577 hitter with 18 home runs and 27 stolen bases over two years.”