McBride adds ABCA honors to growing list

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The list of accolades for former Lehigh catcher Matt McBride continues to grow, as he has been named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) third team All-American and an All-East Region first team selection. McBride, the 2006 Patriot League player of the year, firmly entrenched himself as one of the nation’s top collegiate catchers in his junior season before being drafted as a supplemental pick in the second round by the Cleveland Indians.

McBride’s standout 2006 season was one for the ages. He won the Patriot League Triple Crown by pacing the conference in batting average (.417), home runs (12), and runs batted in (61). The Bethlehem, Pa. native also led the league in slugging percentage (.678), hits (88), doubles (19), total bases (143), sacrifice flies (9), at-bats (211), and plate appearances (246).

McBride success continued on the base paths, where he stole a career high 22 bases in 27 attempts. Defensively, he threw out 16 would-be base stealers and crafted a fielding percentage of .989. In the process, he established a number of school and Patriot League single season and career records en route to helping Lehigh capture its first-ever Patriot League baseball title.

McBride has already earned Louisville Slugger first team and College Baseball Foundation All-America recognition. Earlier this month, McBride was drafted as the 75th overall pick in the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft – the highest a Patriot League player has ever been selected.

In all, five Patriot League players earned ABCA All-Region accolades. In addition to McBride, Navy pitcher Mitch Harris was named a third team All-American as well. Army outfielder and relief pitcher Milan Dinga, Holy Cross second baseman Tucker Frawley, and Bucknell reliever Jason Buursma garnered All-Region recognition in their respective regions.

McBride is one of two former Mountain Hawks playing professionally in the Cleveland Indians organization. McBride is a catcher for the Mahoning Valley (Niles, Ohio) Scrappers in the Class-A New York-Penn League. His former battery mate, pitcher Kyle Collina is a reliever for the Burlington (N.C.) Indians in the Appalachian League.

Related Links

ABCA home

Completed Event: Baseball versus Bucknell University on May 3, 2026 , Win , 10, to, 4

Completed Event: Baseball versus Bucknell University on May 3, 2026 , Loss , 1, to, 2 , (7 inn.)

Completed Event: Baseball versus Bucknell University on May 2, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 4

Completed Event: Baseball at Seton Hall University on April 29, 2026 , Loss , 5, to, 10

Completed Event: Baseball at Holy Cross on April 26, 2026 , Win , 14, to, 2 , (7 inn.)

Completed Event: Baseball at Holy Cross on April 25, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 3

Completed Event: Baseball at Holy Cross on April 25, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 9 , (7 inn.)

Lehigh University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos