DALLAS (NCBWA) -- Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress and Clemson right-hander Aidan Knaak have been named the 2024 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association National Freshman Hitter and Pitcher of the Year recipients, as announced by the organization today.
Burress was named the 2024 ACC Freshman of the Year and was a semifinalist for the 37th Dick Howser Trophy, given to the year’s top collegiate player. The All-ACC first-team selection and All-ACC Freshman Team member started all 58 Georgia Tech games in 2024, helping the Yellow Jackets post a 33-25 record and receive an at-large selection to the NCAA Athens, Ga. Regional. The outfielder led Georgia Tech in batting average (.381), home runs (25), RBI (67), slugging percentage (.821), walks (58), on base percentage (.512) and OPS (1.333) in 2024. He had a team-leading 81 hits and drew more walks during the season than he struck out (37).
The Houston County, Ga., native was named to the NCBWA Freshman All-America first team yesterday. Along with being a Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist, he was also a 2024 Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. Burress finished the year among the top 20 nationally in seven offensive categories. The outfielder ended the year ranked among the top 20 nationally in home runs (13th), home runs per game (18th), slugging percentage (9th), total bases (8th), walks (9th), walks per game (14th) and on base percentage (16th).
Burress led Georgia Tech in batting average, home runs, and RBI, becoming the 12th Yellow Jacket and the first since 2016 to win the Georgia Tech Triple Crown. The outfielder also set a new Georgia Tech single-season freshman record, finishing the year second in program history with 25 home runs. In addition, he set a Georgia Tech record by hitting four home runs in a game in a win over Georgia State on Feb. 27.
Knaak was named to the 2024 ACC All-Conference first team and earned ACC All-Freshman Team recognition. The right-hander posted a 5-1 record with a 3.35 ERA over 83 1/3 innings in 15 appearances, all starts. He struck out 108 and walked 29, holding opponents to a .221 batting average. He finished the year leading Clemson in starts, innings pitched and strikeouts.
The Fort Myers, Fla. native helped the Tigers capture the 2024 Clemson, S.C. Regional title and post a 44-16 overall record. Clemson won the 2024 ACC Atlantic Division and ranked as high as No. 2 in the NCBWA Division Weekly Poll during the 2024 season. Knaak finished the year among the ACC leaders in ERA (4th), innings pitched (6th), batters struck out (3rd) and opponent batting average (5th).
Knaak was voted to the NCBWA Freshman All-American first team, yesterday. The right-hander was named the ACC Pitcher of the Week twice during the season. He set a new Clemson freshman record for strikeouts.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters, and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Web site, ncbwa.com. For more information about the 2024 NCBWA Freshman All-American team, contact Ryan Bomberger (rbomberger@liberty.edu).