Preseason honor for Jameis Winston

— -- Jameis Winston continues to stockpile accolades, even when the sport isn't football.

Winston, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner for national champion Florida State, has been named to Baseball America's preseason All-America third team as a utility player.

As a freshman last season, Winston was a two-way player for the Seminoles, making 32 starts in the field as well as 17 relief appearances. 

At the plate, he hit .235 with seven doubles, three triples and 21 runs scored. Winston made 22 starts in the outfield and 10 at designated hitter.

On the mound, the right-hander went 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA and two saves, striking out 21 batters in 27 innings. His fastball can touch 95 mph.

"We will use Jameis just like we do everybody else," coach Mike Martin said last month. "We're not going to treat him any differently, and he doesn't want to be treated any differently. He's a Seminole baseball player now. We're going to use him in the outfield, we're going to use him on the mound, we're going to use him as a DH some.

"But we want him to be our closer when it's all said and done. That's what we're going to prepare him to be."

After leading the Seminoles to the BCS national title last month, Winston said he welcomed the opportunity to play baseball for FSU again despite his elevated celebrity after a football season that saw him capture a host of major awards.

"It keeps me busy instead of dealing with all the outside stuff and dealing with everything coming my way," Winston said. "I keep playing sports, and I've got to keep my grades up, so I won't be focused on any outside things."

Baseball America chooses its preseason All-America teams based on "performance, talent and professional potential."

Winston was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 15th round of the 2012 MLB draft. He's the 20th-ranked sophomore prospect, according to Baseball America.

The Seminoles, ranked sixth in Baseball America's preseason poll, open the season Feb. 14 against Niagara.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.