LUBBOCK, Texas – As the 2024 regular season winds down, the cream of the crop has begun to emerge for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, as the College Baseball Foundation announced the 10 semifinalists for the award.

Not only are the semifinalists putting up incredible numbers, but they’re also among their respective team leaders in hitting and pitching, with several playing key roles in the push for the postseason.

“Whether they’re seasoned upperclassmen or up-and-coming underclassmen, this year’s Olerud semifinalists are making a major impact both for their team and on the game itself,” said George Watson, chairman of the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year selection committee. “With only a couple weeks left before the NCAA Tournament begins, it will be interesting to see how many of these talented players will lead their team into the Field of 64.”

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. The award will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation later this year.

Of the 10 semifinalists for the 2024 award, four of them are making a repeat appearance, having appeared as a 2023 semifinalist.

Junior right-handed pitcher and outfielder Carson Benge has Oklahoma State on a hot streak. He is hitting .328 with 15 home runs and 57 RBI, while on the mound he has been effective both as a starter and reliever, compiling a 2-1 record and 3.31 ERA with three saves and 30 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings.

Austin Smith, a junior right-hander and outfielder from San Diego, is 5-0 on the mound with a 2.93 ERA in 46 innings with 44 strikeouts. At the plate he is hitting .311 with seven home runs and 36 RBI.

Cameron Jones from Georgia Tech, a newcomer to the semifinalist list, is leading a surging Yellow Jackets team toward the postseason. The sophomore infielder and right-handed pitcher is hitting .335 with four home runs and 29 RBI, while on the mound is 3-1 with a 5.04 ERA, striking out 38 in 50 innings.

Erik Paulsen, a freshman infielder and left-handed pitcher from Stony Brook, has played a key role for Seawolves, especially late in games, where he has six saves to go with a 2-0 record and 2.27 ERA in 39 2/3 innings. At the plate, he is hitting .310 with four home runs and 23 RBI.

The five finalists for the Olerud Award will be announced during the NCAA Tournament. The winner will be announced on June 17.

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

2024 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Semifinalists

Name, Class, School, Conference

• Ethan Bates, Senior, Louisiana Tech, Conference USA
• *Carson Benge, Junior, Oklahoma State, Big 12
• *Jac Caglianone, Senior, Florida, SEC
• Cameron Jones, Sophomore, Georgia Tech, ACC
• Lyle Miller-Green, Senior, Austin Peay, Atlantic Sun
• Justin Murray, Senior, Houston, Big 12
• DJ Newman, Sophomore, Bowling Green, Mid-American
• Erik Paulsen, Freshman, Stony Brook, Coastal Athletic
• *Austin Smith, Junior, San Diego, West Coast
• *Mitch Voit, Sophomore, Michigan, Big Ten

* = 2023 semifinalist