OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Five of the nation’s best two-way players were named as finalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award by the College Baseball Foundation.
This year’s finalists include some of the biggest names and most versatile players in college baseball, including senior Bryce Calloway, RHP/OF, New Orleans; sophomore Evan Dempsey; OF/RHP, Florida Gulf Coast; junior Ethan Hedges, IF/RHP, USC; sophomore Max Knight, LHP/1B, Missouri State; and senior Justin Lehman, RHP/1B, Army West Point.
Five different conferences are represented by a finalist, including the ASUN, Big 10, Missouri Valley, Patriot League and Southland conferences.
"This year's finalist class represents what the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award is all about -- players who have made a tremendous impact both at the plate and on the mound," Olerud Award chairman George Watson said. "Additionally, they have proven to be leaders on their respective teams. Any one of these fine young men would be outstanding representatives of the John Olerud Award."
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.
Calloway, a first-team Southland Conference selection, was impressive at the plate and on the mound for the Privateers this season. He started all 54 games and led the team with a .390 batting average, 18 home runs and 63 RBI. Calloway also had 10 doubles and two triples on the season and boasted a .484 on-base percentage. As the UNO closer, Calloway made 20 appearances, sporting a 2-2 record, earning 11 saves and striking out 23 batters in 25.1 innings.
A first-team All-ASUN starting pitcher, Dempsey was 4-1 this season with a 1.41 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He pitched in 14 games, including nine starts, pitching 63.2 innings, striking out 71 and walking 18. He allowed only three extra-base hits on the season, with all of them being doubles. As an outfielder, Dempsey played in all 59 of FGCU’s games, starting in 58 of those. He posted a .305 batting average, tallying 69 hits, including 18 doubles and three home runs, scoring 41 runs and going a perfect 14-for-14 on stolen bases on the season.
Hedges started all 60 games this season for USC at third base and made the most of his opportunities at the hot corner and on the mound for the Trojans. Hedges, a first-team All-Big 10 third baseman and member of the Big 10 All-Defensive team, tallied a batting average of .346 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI. He scored 57 runs, earned 44 walks and was a perfect 10-for-10 in stolen bases. Hedges was also impressive as the Trojans’ closer, going 2-1 with nine saves in 15 appearances. He earned 12 strikeouts in 15.0 innings pitched.
A first-team All-MVC first-team selection as a utility player and the MVC Co-Newcomer of the Year, Knight played in 49 games, earning 47 starts as a position player. He hit .275 with 13 home runs and 46 RBI. Knight also earned 10 stolen bases on 12 attempts. On the mound, Knight earned a 5-2 record with three saves in 24 appearances for the Bears. He struck out 58 batters in 47.2 innings pitched.
Lehman played in 50 games for the Black Knights, earning a starting nod in 44 contests as Army’s primary first baseman. He posted a .316 batting average with 13 doubles, one home run and 24 RBI on the season. On the mound, Lehman made 13 starts, going 5-4 with a 4.02 ERA. He recorded one complete game and tallied 46 strikeouts in 78.1 innings pitched.
The 2025 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year will be announced Friday, June 13. 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 Finalists
Name, Positions, Class, School, Hometown, Conference
- Bryce Calloway, RHP/OF, Senior, New Orleans, New Orleans, La., Southland
- Evan Dempsey, OF/RHP, Sophomore, Florida Gulf Coast, Tampa, Fla., ASUN
- Ethan Hedges, IF/RHP, Junior, USC, Fountain Valley, Calif., Big 10
- Max Knight, LHP/1B, Sophomore, Missouri State, Bixby, Okla., Missouri Valley
- Justin Lehman, RHP/1B, Senior, Army West Point, Fort Mill, S.C., Patriot League
About the College Baseball Foundation
The purpose of the College Baseball Foundation (CBF) is to preserve, elevate and advance the game; to inspire the next generation; to teach those who love college baseball about its rich history and traditions; to celebrate those who make college baseball special; and to honor those who have come before us, and built the foundation upon which college baseball thrives today.
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The CBF presents the Brooks Wallace Award (Nation’s Most Outstanding Shortstop), the National Pitcher of the Year, the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year, the Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year, the George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence Award.
About the College Baseball Hall of Fame
Each year, more than 190 representatives nationwide vote on the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The voting body is comprised of national and regional college baseball media, active and retired coaches, former players, former inductees, college baseball historians and members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) collegiate baseball committee. The College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2006. Since that time, 165 players, coaches, umpires, administrators and contributors have been selected for induction. Click here for a full list of College Baseball Hall of Fame classes.
The College Baseball Hall of Fame will establish a physical location in Overland Park, Kan., in early 2026. Located within the iconic Museum at Prairiefire, the College Baseball Hall of Fame will serve as a shared community asset, deepening connections to the nation's favorite pastime through a dynamic and ever-evolving space for college baseball enthusiasts to celebrate the sport's rich past, present and future.