DURHAM, N.C. – Two Golden Bears were named 2021 preseason All-Americans by Baseball America on Monday.
 
Junior Grant Holman was selected at utility on the first team while senior Darren Baker was picked to the third team at second base. It is the first preseason All-America recognition for either Cal standout during their respective careers.
 
The Baseball America Preseason All-America teams are voted on by major league scouting departments based on performance, talent and professional potential.
 
Holman started all 16 games during the Bears' shortened 2020 season on the mound, at first base or as the designated hitter. He was the Bears' top pitcher, compiling a 3.28 ERA with 20 strikeouts to only four walks. Opponents batted just .225 against Holman in 24.2 innings pitched. At the plate, Holman slashed .250/.333/.324 with 10 RBI and one home run.
 
In 58 career games played, Holman owns a 4.21 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched while slashing .264/.414/.348 split with five home runs at the plate. Holman is coming off of a breakout summer in the San Diego League where he tallied 17 strikeouts to one walk and limited opposing batters to a .125 average in 9.0 innings pitched.
 
Baker batted .286 and led Cal in hits (18) and runs (15) while starting all 16 games in 2020. As one of the top defensive players in the Pac-12, Baker recorded a team-high 34 defensive assists and posted a .982 fielding percentage with just one error over 57 chances last spring.
 
A three-year starter for the Bears, Baker has started 110 career games and owns splits of .290/.330/.342 with 30 stolen bases in 33 attempts.
 
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