Making the jump to college baseball is a difficult transition for most recent high school graduates, but these eight players made it look easy. They are your nominees for the 2018 D1 baseball Newcomer of the Year award.
Now, the vote comes down to you! Make sure to vote and share so the most worthy freshman gets the honors of Newcomer of the Year. The poll closes June 1 at 12 PM PT.
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Ryan Ward, OF — Bryant
Leading all of D1 players in hits (101) and all the freshmen in doubles (22), Ward (.409/.449/.636) was a standout on a Bulldog roster that won 32 games and tied for the Northeast Conference regular-season title. [divider]
Spencer Torkelson, INF — Arizona State
Torkelson (.320/.440/.743, 25 HR, 53 RBI) made his presence known in a competitive Pac-12 conference by leading the Sun Devils in home runs and RBI alongside leading all D1 freshmen in home runs. [divider]
Heston Kjerstad, OF — Arkansas
Leading the Razorbacks in RBI, Kjerstad's (.336/.416/.553 14 2B, 11 HR, 47 RBI) future is extremely bright in one of the strongest conferences in the country. [divider]
Gabe Holt, OF — Texas Tech
Seeming to have no issue getting on base at the D1 level, Holt (.339/.440/.474 5 HR, 35 RBI 27 SB) took advantage of his opportunity by stealing 27 bases. [divider]
Tanner Burns, P — Auburn
Burns (74.2 IP, 6-4, 72 SO, 3.13 ERA) had a fantastic freshman campaign and contributed to a Tigers team who nearly won 40 games in 2018.[divider]
Patrick Fredrickson, P — Minnesota
On the Golden Gophers route to the Big 10 Conference Championship, Fredrickson (86 IP, 9-0, 63 SO, 1.78 ERA) was the pitcher that led the way. Leading all of the D1 freshmen in ERA, and his team in wins and strikeouts, watch out for this guy's bright future.[divider]
Samuel Strickland, P — Samford
Strickland (76.1 IP, 8-2, 82, 1.89 ERA) had a breakout season for Samford, leading the Bulldogs in most pitching categories, and was a key piece in their 2018 Southern Conference title run. [divider]
Drey Jameson, P — Ball State
Leading all the freshmen in strikeouts, Jameson (72 IP, 7-2, 97 SO, 3.88 ERA) was a workhorse for the Cardinals in 2018. [divider]
