Baseball season is just around the corner, as evidenced by this press release by Auburn today about Hunter Morris being named a preseason first-team All-American by Baseball America:

AUBURN, Ala. – Hunter Morris was tabbed a preseason First Team All-America choice by Baseball America, the organization announced on Friday.

A junior, Morris heads into the 2010 season with a .318 career batting average having collected 22 doubles and 23 home runs, driving in 82 during his first two seasons at Auburn.

“This is a tremendous honor for Hunter as he has worked extremely hard to improve his overall game,” Auburn head coach John Pawlowski said. “He will play a major part in helping the Tigers get back to postseason play. Hunter has made Auburn baseball proud with this preseason accolade.”

Morris was a Baseball America Freshman All-American in 2008 when he hit .351 with 15 doubles, 11 home runs and 49 RBI en route to being named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year.

Morris was one of 13 Southeastern Conference players on the three preseason teams and one of seven on the first team.

Auburn opens its season at home Feb. 19 against Southeast Missouri.