Dustin Ackley, a three-time All-American selection at the University of North Carolina, has been selected by Baseball America as the Player of the Decade. More than 150 college baseball coaches were polled for the award, which included all players that played college ball from 2000 to 2009. 

Ackley, the Mariners’ first-round Draft choice last June, holds the College World Series record for most hits (28) and is the only player selected to the All-CWS team three times.

An outfielder and first baseman for the Tar Heels, Ackley has been converted to second base by the Mariners.

The conversion has gone well and it appears that the left-handed hitter’s future is at that position.

— Jim Street