All season, Marc Krauss had to deal with tremendous attention and scrutiny as one of the most highly acclaimed players in Ohio University's history.
And now, with his season finally complete, the craziness certainly isn't stopping for Krauss.
He begins an off-season that will feature many awards and the potential of becoming a high-round draft pick of a Major League Baseball club.
And, the awards have already begun.
Krauss was named to the Louisville Slugger All-America First Team by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
To be put up in that same spectrum is kind of crazy
Krauss said. It brings more tradition to the baseball team.
To be named to the first team is a pretty big deal Ohio coach Joe Carbone said. You can be an All-American and player anywhere in college baseball.
That award is one of many for Krauss this season.
He was named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award given to the best amateur player each year. He was the first player in Ohio history to be the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and he was put on the MAC All-First Team for the third consecutive season.
For a player who had a season (.402 average, 27 home runs, 70 RBI) like Krauss did, these awards are to be expected. But Krauss said it's exciting, nonetheless.
It's a complete whirlwind Krauss said. Every other day I was getting a bunch of text messages from friends and family.
It's been great.
The whirlwind will continue for Krauss. With the MLB draft on Friday
Krauss will soon learn his fate as a professional baseball player. Balancing his nerves with the last weeks of Spring Quarter hasn't been easy.
He's used to that
though.
I can't impress them on the field anymore, Krauss said. I expect it to pick up in the next few days.
Carbone said he has spoken to almost every team about Krauss' prospects and expects him to go either late in the first round or in the second.
They ask me more about Marc off the field, Carbone said of the scouts. Everyone I'm talking to said he's going to be a high draft pick.
One thing that benefits Krauss is his versatility. He has played third base
first base
right field and left field for the Bobcats.
And there's that whole hitting thing he's managed to master at the college level.
He has no real weaknesses, Carbone said. He's a guy that can hit the ball anywhere in the strike zone.
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