Preston Tucker passes up MLB contract

Posted Aug 16, 2011 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Aug 16, 2011 at 12:34 PM

As the minutes ticked off the Major League Baseball signing deadline Monday night, former Plant standout Preston Tucker made his decision: He was staying put.

After being selected in the 16th round by the Colorado Rockies in June’s draft, Tucker, an outfielder, will return to the University of Florida for his senior season.

Last season, Tucker received second-team All-America and first-team All-South Region selections and was a first-team All-SEC pick. He was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 NCAA Gainesville Regional.

This past season Tucker batted .308 with 74 RBI (a team-best), 55 runs scored, 28 walks, 23 doubles (tied program record) and 15 home runs.

Tucker is UF’s all-time leader in NCAA Tournament at bats (97), hits (35), RBI (35), homers (9) and doubles (8).

This season, Tucker and Gators teammates finished second in the 2011 NCAA College World Series and set a program record with 53 wins.

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