Penn State junior Mike DeRenzo was named preseason All-Big Ten by Baseball America in its 2002 preseason issue. As a team, the Nittany Lions were picked to finish seventh in the Big Ten this season by the publication.

Named third team All-Big Ten last year, DeRenzo returns after hitting .387 with 34 RBI last season as the starting second baseman for the Nittany Lion. Baseball America also recognized DeRenzo as the top defensive second baseman in the conference.

Penn State is coming off of a 29-29 season, finishing fourth in the Big Ten. The Lions return 20 letterwinners, including four starters. Ohio State was selected as the favorite by Baseball America followed by Minnesota and Illinois. The Nittany Lions were slotted in the seventh spot, behind Michigan, Purdue and Northwestern.

Baseball America also ranked the strength of the nation's conferences. The Atlantic Coast Conference earned the distinction of the top league in the country ahead of the Pac-10 and the SEC. The Big Ten was picked as the eighth-toughest conference in the nation.

In its preseason rankings, Stanford earned the top spot nationally. Clemson is slotted at No. 2, followed by defending national champion Miami (Fla.), Southern California and Notre Dame.

Penn State opens the 2002 season on Sat., Feb. 16 at Norfolk State beginning at 1:00 p.m. (ET).