Four FIU baseball players have been recognized on the 2026 Baseball Academic All-District Team by the College Sports Communicators. Notable accomplishments include Cole Cleveland (3.62 GPA), Andrew Ildefonso (3.66 GPA), Preston Prince (3.88 GPA), and Cooper Rasmussen (3.97 GPA), who excelled both academically and athletically. Cleveland led in stolen bases and multi-hit games, Ildefonso topped the team in hits, Prince excelled in pitching, and Rasmussen made significant contributions in the infield with impressive batting averages. Their recognition highlights the balance of academics and athletics at FIU.

By the Numbers
  • Cleveland started 48 games with 23 RBIs and 9 stolen bases.
  • Ildefonso recorded 65 hits, 44 RBIs, and a .290 batting average, with 17 multi-hit games.
  • Prince pitched 47 innings with 54 strikeouts, ranking second on the team.
  • Rasmussen had a .295 batting average with 56 hits and 12 home runs.
State of Play
  • FIU baseball is experiencing a surge in recognition with emphasis on academic achievement.
  • The program has placed multiple players on the Academic All-District Team for their performance on and off the field.
What's Next

With the upcoming 2027 season, anticipation surrounds the new head coach, Pedro Grifol, likely enhancing the program's competitiveness. Continued support and development of student-athletes鈥� academic and athletic careers will be crucial for future success.

Bottom Line

The recognition of these players highlights the importance of academic excellence in intercollegiate athletics. FIU continues to foster an environment where student-athletes can thrive both in their studies and on the field, setting a standard for future teams to follow.