Indiana University Athletics
2024 Baseball Preseason Watch List Central
1/4/2024 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Ahead of an anticipated 2024 baseball season, several Hoosiers have been named to preseason watch lists by various outlets including D1 Baseball, Perfect Game and Baseball America.
Below is an all-inclusive list of IU players with news, notes and honors before the 2024 season which begins on February 16 vs. Duke in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
This list will be updated throughout the preseason.
Perfect Game Preseason All-American (2nd Team)
#5, Taylor, Devin
Devin Taylor, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was tabbed as a Second Team Preseason All-American by Perfect Game as announced on Thursday (January 4th) afternoon.
The organization chose its First, Second and Third Team Preseason All-Americans just over a month out from the beginning of the season. Taylor was among three outfielders on the second team, joined by fellow sophomores Cam Cannnarella (Clemson) and Jace LaViolette (Texas A&M).
The sophomore outfielder enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023, earning Freshman All-American honors after compiling 16 home runs, 59 RBI's and a .315 batting average in 55 appearances for the Hoosiers.
Full Release
Perfect Game Top Players by Class
Top 75 Freshmen
Outfielder Andrew Wiggins (#7) and infielder Cal Sefcik (#68) were among Perfect Game's Top 75 Freshmen for the 2024 season. Wiggins, one of the top bats in the class, was a High School All-American from Heritage Christian in Indianapolis and played in the Perfect Game All-American Showcase. He was the No. 37 overall prospect in the class of 2023 by the organization and joins a deep outfield group in Bloomington. Sefcik, who's father Kevin played seven years in the MLB, was one of the top prospects in the state of Illinois and is versatile enough to play multiple positions in the infield.
Top 100 Sophomores
Outfielder Devin Taylor (#7) was among the top-100 sophomores listed by Perfect Game ahead of the 2024 season. A Freshman All-American a season ago by multiple outlets, Taylor was a breakout star in his first season in Bloomington. He earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors following a campaign with 16 home runs and 59 RBI's while hitting .315 in 55 contests.
A Second Team Preseason All-American by Perfect Game, the sophomore outfielder is eighth on the outlet's 2025 MLB Draft Board and is projected to have a massive campaign for the Hoosiers.
Top 100 Juniors
A trio of talented Hoosiers were listed among the Top 100 Juniors for 2024, a class that features all draft-eligible athletes. Carter Mathison (#51) and Luke Sinnard (#52) featured back-to-back in the rankings while Brock Tibbitts, an everyday starter for two years, was listed at 59. Sinnard broke onto the scene in 2023, setting a single-season strikeout record for the Hoosiers with 114 punchouts.
Mathison and Tibbitts make up two-thirds of an outstanding junior trio that has started nearly every game for IU since arriving on campus ahead of the 2022 season. Mathison is inching closer towards a potential home run record for IU. Through two years he's got 29 and would need just 14 to crack the top five and 18 to match the program record held by Alex Dickerson, Mike Smith and Mike Sabo. Tibbitts, as consistent offensively as they come, will spend time behind the plate for IU this year and has 107 RBI's, 144 hits and 30 doubles through two seasons in Bloomington.
Top 50 Seniors
A veteran outfielder for the Hoosiers, Morgan Colopy (#26) was among the top-50 returning seniors for the 2024 season. One of IU's most reliable defensive options, Colopy also provides some of the most power in the program at the plate.
Perfect Game All-Big Ten Preseason Team
Four Hoosiers were selected by the organization, the most of any school.
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Adding to a deep collection of preseason accolades, sophomore outfielder Devin Taylor was tabbed the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year by Perfect Game. The Cincinnati, Ohio native slashed .315/.430/.650 with 32 XBH's and 59 RBI's in 2023 as a freshman.
Preseason All-Big Ten Team
The Hoosiers' trio of veteran junior hitters were all honored in the preseason by Perfect Game. Third baseman Josh Pyne, catcher Brock Tibbitts and outfielder Carter Mathison, who have all been day one starters since arriving in Bloomington in 2022, figure to make up the core of IU's offense in 2024. IU had the most offensive players on the entire Big Ten Preseason Team (4).
D1 Baseball Preseason Big Ten Honors
Two Hoosiers were tabbed as early projections for season awards.
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Among the two outlets that make full conference preseason predictions, sophomore outfielder Devin Taylor was named Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year by both. Tabbed the early favorite by Perfect Game, Taylor was named the early Player of the Year favorite by D1 Baseball as well.
Big Ten Preseason Freshman of the Year
One of the highest ranked recruits in program history (#37 by Perfect Game), outfielder Andrew Wiggins was tabbed as the D1 Baseball Preseason Freshman of the Year. The Indianapolis, Ind. native had a massive prep career and is one of the top bats to make it to any college campus in this past recruiting cycle.
He joins a deep outfield room that also includes Taylor and veterans Carter Mathison, Nick Mitchell and Morgan Colopy.
D1 Baseball Preseason Position Player Rankings
The Hoosiers feature a collection of talented players honored by the outlet.
Top 50 Catchers
Brock Tibbitts, who transitions behind the dish for IU this year, slotted in at #18 in the preseason catcher rankings.
Top 100 Outfielders
All three starters in IU's deepest position group are featured among the top 100 in the nation. Devin Taylor (#14), Carter Mathison (#40) and Nick Mitchell (#50) make up a formidable outfield trio for the Hoosiers.
Top 150 Starting Pitchers
Brayden Risedorph, a potential candidate for the nod on Opening Day, came in as the #101 ranked starting pitcher to begin the 2024 season. He made a team-high 25 appearances for IU in 2023.
Baseball America Preseason Big Ten Honors
IU's duo of outfielders continues to haul in preseason accolades.
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Now a consensus preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, Devin Taylor opens the season with big expectations from the various media outlets. He is expected to open the season as the starting left fielder and will be a major force in a potent IU offensive attack.
Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Likely to play a big role early on in the season, Indianapolis native Andrew Wiggins was tabbed as Baseball America's Freshman of the Year in the Big Ten. The 6-4 lefty brings outstanding power to IU's lineup and will look to pair with Taylor to become the first freshmen in program history to win back-to-back Big Ten Freshman of the Year awards.
Below is an all-inclusive list of IU players with news, notes and honors before the 2024 season which begins on February 16 vs. Duke in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
This list will be updated throughout the preseason.
Perfect Game Preseason All-American (2nd Team)
#5, Taylor, Devin
Devin Taylor, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was tabbed as a Second Team Preseason All-American by Perfect Game as announced on Thursday (January 4th) afternoon.
The organization chose its First, Second and Third Team Preseason All-Americans just over a month out from the beginning of the season. Taylor was among three outfielders on the second team, joined by fellow sophomores Cam Cannnarella (Clemson) and Jace LaViolette (Texas A&M).
The sophomore outfielder enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023, earning Freshman All-American honors after compiling 16 home runs, 59 RBI's and a .315 batting average in 55 appearances for the Hoosiers.
Full Release
Perfect Game Top Players by Class
Top 75 Freshmen
Outfielder Andrew Wiggins (#7) and infielder Cal Sefcik (#68) were among Perfect Game's Top 75 Freshmen for the 2024 season. Wiggins, one of the top bats in the class, was a High School All-American from Heritage Christian in Indianapolis and played in the Perfect Game All-American Showcase. He was the No. 37 overall prospect in the class of 2023 by the organization and joins a deep outfield group in Bloomington. Sefcik, who's father Kevin played seven years in the MLB, was one of the top prospects in the state of Illinois and is versatile enough to play multiple positions in the infield.
Top 100 Sophomores
Outfielder Devin Taylor (#7) was among the top-100 sophomores listed by Perfect Game ahead of the 2024 season. A Freshman All-American a season ago by multiple outlets, Taylor was a breakout star in his first season in Bloomington. He earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors following a campaign with 16 home runs and 59 RBI's while hitting .315 in 55 contests.
A Second Team Preseason All-American by Perfect Game, the sophomore outfielder is eighth on the outlet's 2025 MLB Draft Board and is projected to have a massive campaign for the Hoosiers.
Top 100 Juniors
A trio of talented Hoosiers were listed among the Top 100 Juniors for 2024, a class that features all draft-eligible athletes. Carter Mathison (#51) and Luke Sinnard (#52) featured back-to-back in the rankings while Brock Tibbitts, an everyday starter for two years, was listed at 59. Sinnard broke onto the scene in 2023, setting a single-season strikeout record for the Hoosiers with 114 punchouts.
Mathison and Tibbitts make up two-thirds of an outstanding junior trio that has started nearly every game for IU since arriving on campus ahead of the 2022 season. Mathison is inching closer towards a potential home run record for IU. Through two years he's got 29 and would need just 14 to crack the top five and 18 to match the program record held by Alex Dickerson, Mike Smith and Mike Sabo. Tibbitts, as consistent offensively as they come, will spend time behind the plate for IU this year and has 107 RBI's, 144 hits and 30 doubles through two seasons in Bloomington.
Top 50 Seniors
A veteran outfielder for the Hoosiers, Morgan Colopy (#26) was among the top-50 returning seniors for the 2024 season. One of IU's most reliable defensive options, Colopy also provides some of the most power in the program at the plate.
Perfect Game All-Big Ten Preseason Team
Four Hoosiers were selected by the organization, the most of any school.
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Adding to a deep collection of preseason accolades, sophomore outfielder Devin Taylor was tabbed the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year by Perfect Game. The Cincinnati, Ohio native slashed .315/.430/.650 with 32 XBH's and 59 RBI's in 2023 as a freshman.
Preseason All-Big Ten Team
The Hoosiers' trio of veteran junior hitters were all honored in the preseason by Perfect Game. Third baseman Josh Pyne, catcher Brock Tibbitts and outfielder Carter Mathison, who have all been day one starters since arriving in Bloomington in 2022, figure to make up the core of IU's offense in 2024. IU had the most offensive players on the entire Big Ten Preseason Team (4).
D1 Baseball Preseason Big Ten Honors
Two Hoosiers were tabbed as early projections for season awards.
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Among the two outlets that make full conference preseason predictions, sophomore outfielder Devin Taylor was named Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year by both. Tabbed the early favorite by Perfect Game, Taylor was named the early Player of the Year favorite by D1 Baseball as well.
Big Ten Preseason Freshman of the Year
One of the highest ranked recruits in program history (#37 by Perfect Game), outfielder Andrew Wiggins was tabbed as the D1 Baseball Preseason Freshman of the Year. The Indianapolis, Ind. native had a massive prep career and is one of the top bats to make it to any college campus in this past recruiting cycle.
He joins a deep outfield room that also includes Taylor and veterans Carter Mathison, Nick Mitchell and Morgan Colopy.
D1 Baseball Preseason Position Player Rankings
The Hoosiers feature a collection of talented players honored by the outlet.
Top 50 Catchers
Brock Tibbitts, who transitions behind the dish for IU this year, slotted in at #18 in the preseason catcher rankings.
Top 100 Outfielders
All three starters in IU's deepest position group are featured among the top 100 in the nation. Devin Taylor (#14), Carter Mathison (#40) and Nick Mitchell (#50) make up a formidable outfield trio for the Hoosiers.
Top 150 Starting Pitchers
Brayden Risedorph, a potential candidate for the nod on Opening Day, came in as the #101 ranked starting pitcher to begin the 2024 season. He made a team-high 25 appearances for IU in 2023.
Baseball America Preseason Big Ten Honors
IU's duo of outfielders continues to haul in preseason accolades.
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Now a consensus preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, Devin Taylor opens the season with big expectations from the various media outlets. He is expected to open the season as the starting left fielder and will be a major force in a potent IU offensive attack.
Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Likely to play a big role early on in the season, Indianapolis native Andrew Wiggins was tabbed as Baseball America's Freshman of the Year in the Big Ten. The 6-4 lefty brings outstanding power to IU's lineup and will look to pair with Taylor to become the first freshmen in program history to win back-to-back Big Ten Freshman of the Year awards.
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