College Baseball Foundation Announces 2025 John Olerud Two-Way Player Of The Year Award Semifinalists

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas – Ten of the nation’s best two-way players were named as semifinalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award on Tuesday by the College Baseball Foundation.

This year’s semifinalists include some of the biggest names and most versatile players in college baseball. A total of nine conferences are represented by at least one player in the semifinalist class, including the ASUN, CAA, Big 10, Missouri Valley, Patriot League, SEC, Southland, Sun Belt and West Coast conferences. The Big 10 features two semifinalists.

"This may be the most competitive semifinal list we've had since the award was created as there is no clear-cut favorite yet to win the award in 2025," said Olerud Award chairman George Watson. "The next two weeks are going to be vital in determining not only who our finalists will be, but also to see whether someone puts on a late-season surge to rise to the top."

The award is named for former Washington State University standout John Olerud, who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s. He was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.

Austin Smith (San Diego) is the only returning award semifinalist and finalist from last season. Smith is hitting .365 with six home runs and 44 RBIs in 2005. He has four wins and four saves on the mound and has struck out 50 batters in 39.2 innings of work.

Bryce Calloway (New Orleans) leads all semifinalists in batting average (.390), home runs (18) and RBIs (62). Ryan Sprock (Elon) is hitting .332 with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs. Max Knight (Missouri State) has 13 home runs and 46 RBIs while Noah Sullivan (Mississippi State) has posted a .341 batting average with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs. Ethan Hedges (USC) is hitting .346 with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs this season.

Knight (Missouri State), Justin Lehman (Army) and Will Rogers (Michigan) lead all semifinalists in pitching victories (5). Rogers and Knight have also tallied seven and three saves, respectively.

Calloway (New Orleans) leads all semifinalists with 11 saves. Hedges (USC) has earned nine saves and has a 2.57 ERA in 14 appearances.

Evan Dempsey (Florida Gulf Coast) paces all semifinalists with a microscopic 1.56 ERA. Dempsey also has tallied four victories on the mound. Sprock (Elon) and Sullivan (Mississippi State) also feature sub-2.00 ERAs with Sprock checking in with a 1.69 ERA and Sullivan a 1.96 ERA.

Finalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award will be announced on June 4, with the 2025 winner to be announced at a date to be finalized later that month. Jac Caglianone of the University of Florida was the 2024 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year.

For more information on the Olerud Award, visit the College Baseball Foundation website at www.collegebaseballhall.org.

2025 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Semifinalists

Name, Positions, Class, School, Player Hometown

• Bryce Calloway, RHP/OF, Senior, New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana

• Evan Dempsey, OF/RHP, Sophomore, Florida Gulf Coast, Tampa, Florida

• Austin Eaton, RHP/IF, R-Senior, Texas State, Frisco, Texas

• Ethan Hedges, IF/RHP, Junior, USC, Fountain Valley, California

• Max Knight, LHP/1B, Sophomore, Missouri State, Bixby, Oklahoma

• Justin Lehman, RHP/1B, Senior, Army West Point, Fort Mill, South Carolina

• Will Rogers, RHP/DH, Senior, Michigan, Shoreview, Minnesota

• Austin Smith, LHP/OF, Senior, San Diego, El Cajon, California

• Ryan Sprock, RHP/IF, Junior, Elon, Morristown, New Jersey

• Noah Sullivan, DH/RHP, Junior, Mississippi State, Orlando, Florida

Throughout the 2025 season, a John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Week has been selected. Seven of the 10 semifinalists have won the weekly award, with Smith capturing the honor twice this season.

2025 John Olerud Two-Way Player Weekly Award Honorees

Date Honored - Player, Pos., Class, School, Player Hometown

2/25 - Blaine Brown, LHP/OF, Freshman, Rice University, Pearland, Texas

3/4 - Austin Smith, LHP/OF, Senior, University of San Diego, El Cajon, California

3/11 – Will Rogers, RHP/DH, Senior, University of Michigan, Shoreview, Minnesota

3/18 – DJ Newman, OF/RHP, Junior, Bowling Green State, Archbold, Ohio

3/25 – Malachi Lott, OF/LHP, Senior, University of Houston, Portland, Texas

4/1 – Austin Smith, LHP/OF, Senior, University of San Diego, El Cajon, California

4/8 – Evan Dempsey, OF/RHP, Senior, Florida Gulf Coast University, Tampa, Florida

4/15 – Ryan Sprock, RHP/IF, Junior, Elon University, Morristown, New Jersey

4/22 – Griffin Palfrey, IF/RHP, Senior, Columbia University, Vancouver, British Columbia

4/29 – Max Knight, LHP/1B, Sophomore, Missouri State University, Bixby, Oklahoma

5/6 – Noah Sullivan, DH/RHP, Junior, Mississippi State University, Orlando, Florida

5/13 – Justin Lehman, 1B/RHP, Senior, Army West Point, Fort Mill, South Carolina

5/20 – Bryce Calloway, RHP/OF, Senior, New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana