From https: ramblinwreck.com
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech baseball junior Kyle McCann and sophomore Luke Waddell from Loveland, Ohio continued to be lauded for their performance at their positions, getting named to the Buster Power Award (Catcher of the Year) and Brooks Wallace Award (Shortstop of the Year) semifinalists list.
Also a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, McCann currently ranks in the top five of eight offensive categories in the Atlantic Coast Conference, highlighted by leading in home runs (22) and ranking third in slugging percentage (.699). He also ranks in the top 25 in four offensive categories, including walks (54) and RBI (62). Over just the last 10 games alone, McCann has six home runs and 14 RBI, scoring 17 times himself.
One of just two from the ACC, McCann has made his mark in both defensive prowess and pure offensive power this season. Catching all but two games this year, the Suwanee, Ga. native has posted an impressive .993 fielding percentage through 419 chances during the season.
Despite being just a sophomore and having moved to the position midyear, Waddell has already earned the reputation as one of the top shortstops in the country. The Loveland, Ohio native moved to the position full-time on March 9 and hasn’t looked back. Offensively, Waddell is one of six Jackets to hit north of .300, batting .313 for 61 hits, 11 doubles, two triples and two home runs. He’s driven home 32 runs and scored 49 times himself, batting leadoff. Currently, he’s the fourth-toughest to strike out in the ACC, averaging 9.5 at-bats per strikeout.
Defensively, Waddell has also been a wall. He currently holds a fielding percentage of .966, amassing 57 putouts and 142 assists in 206 chances.
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BIOGRAPHY – Luke Waddell #7
2017-18 ACC Academic Honor Roll
2018 (Freshman): Played in 42 games, making 31 starts on the season as a true freshman … Saw time at third base, second base and shortstop throughout the year … Hit .283 with a home run, a triple, eight doubles, 10 walks, 10 RBIs and 20 runs scored … Posted an on-base percentage of .348 on the season … Recorded a season-high five-game hitting streak and a six-game on-base streak for the year … Totaled nine multi-hit games and two multi-RBI games … Made his collegiate debut in the season opener versus Minnesota (Feb. 16) … Picked up his first career hit in the opening-weekend contest versus Bradley (Feb. 17), going 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored … Also drove in two RBIs in the road win at Georgia Southern (Feb. 20) … Scored a season-high two runs in the Friday night win against Virginia Tech (March 16), going 2-for-4 with a home run … Went 2-for-4 with a run scored in game two of the doubleheader with Dartmouth (Feb. 24) … Also went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk in the home win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Feb. 27) … Was a combined 4-for-11 with a double and three runs scored in the series win over Illinois-Chicago (March 2-4) … Went 3-for-12 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored in three starts versus Virginia Tech (March 16-18) … Drove in an RBI and scored a run in the Jackets’ home win over No. 6 Auburn (March 20) … Went 1-for-1 with a triple in game one versus Miami (March 30) before leaving the game with an injury … Was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in the double-digit win over Kennesaw State (April 18) … Went a combined 3-for-9 with two doubles, a walk and two runs scored in the ACC series at No. 8 North Carolina (April 20-22) … Was also 3-for-9 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in the series win over Wake Forest (April 27-29) … Went a perfect 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored off the bench in Tech’s regular-season finale versus No. 10 Duke (May 19).
Before Tech: A three-sport athlete at Loveland High School … Was a four-year letterwinner and a two-time team captain in baseball under head coach Ken Reed … Rated as the No. 3 shortstop and the No. 11 overall prospect in the state of Ohio for the class of 2017 by Perfect Game… Also ranked as high as No. 141 nationally overall at the shortstop position by PG … A 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game honorable mention all-American … Also a 2017 central region honorable mention selection by PG … A two-time Perfect Game underclassmen high honorable mention all-American (2015, 2016) … A two-time All-Ohio all-state selection and a two-time all-district honoree … Named the 2017 Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) Baseball Athlete of the Year his senior season … Also a four-time ECC first-team all-conference selection on the baseball diamond … Played in the 2017 East vs. West All-Star game … Holds the school record in career games played, hits and doubles … Helped lead his Loveland High School team to a 21-6 overall record and a 13-3 conference record in 2016 as a junior … Also lettered in football and basketball at Loveland High School … Led his football team to the state championship title, district title and ECC conference title in 2013 … Holds the Loveland High School football records in career rushing yards, receiving yards, touchdowns and points scored … Also holds the football school records with the most rushing yards and touchdowns in a single season … Tabbed a MaxPreps second-team freshman all-American in 2013 on the football field … Also a four-time first-team all-conference selection in football … A member of the Midland Redskins summer team for three seasons … A member of the National Honor Society and the high honor roll.
Personal: Full name is Luke Thomas Waddell … Born July 13, 1998 in Loveland, Ohio … Son of Eric and Lisa Waddell … Has an older brother named Reid … Also lived in Memphis, Tenn. … Enjoys playing ping pong … Chose Tech because of the coaching staff, the great academics and the chance to play in the ACC … Intends to major in business administration.
