Indiana University Athletics
Big Ten Reveals Preseason Baseball Honors
2/14/2024 4:00:00 PM | Baseball
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Ahead of the start of the 2024 college baseball season on Friday, the Big Ten released its Preseason Players to Watch and Big Ten Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced on Wednesday (Feb. 14) afternoon.
Per a selection by head coach Jeff Mercer, sophomore pitcher Connor Foley, sophomore outfielder Devin Taylor and junior catcher Brock Tibbitts received nods as Big Ten Players to Watch. Each team in the conference featured three selected players.
Foley was outstanding for the Hoosiers as a freshman, using his plus fastball to his advantage as an important piece in the backend of the bullpen. The Jasper, Ind. native finished 4-2 on the season with a 3.72 earned run average while striking out 42 batters in 20 appearances.
He will have the ability to stay as a high-profile closer or transition to a weekend starter for the Hoosiers in 2024. Foley helps make up a strong contingent of sophomore pitchers that also features Brayden Risedorph and Ethan Phillips.
Taylor, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, helped lead an outstanding offensive attack for IU in 2023. The Cincinnati, Ohio native hit .315 across 55 games while producing 16 home runs and an IU freshman record 59 RBI's.
Ahead of 2024, Taylor has been named a unanimous selection for Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year and was a Preseason Second Team All-American by Perfect Game.
Tibbitts, a mainstay in IU's lineup since 2022, is as consistent as they come on the field. A .357 hitter in 2023 and a career .314 hitter in college, the 6-foot-4 Ohio native is one of the best all-around talents in the entire conference.
He will transition back to his natural position behind the plate but will also rotate into a platoon of players at first base, providing a veteran defensive presence at both positions.
Big Ten coaches also made preseason selections for the top-six finishers in the conference. IU was voted second in the league's preseason poll behind Iowa, a consensus top-25 pick to begin the year. Maryland, Rutgers, Nebraska and Michigan rounded out the top-six teams.
IU will face four of the five fellow members of the Big Ten Preseason Poll in the regular season this year.
Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch List – Indiana
Connor Foley, RHP, So., Jasper, Ind.
Devin Taylor, OF, So., Cincinnati, Ohio
Brock Tibbitts, C, Jr., New Albany, Ohio
Big Ten Preseason Poll
1. Iowa
2. Indiana
3. Maryland
4. Rutgers
5. Nebraska
6. Michigan
Per a selection by head coach Jeff Mercer, sophomore pitcher Connor Foley, sophomore outfielder Devin Taylor and junior catcher Brock Tibbitts received nods as Big Ten Players to Watch. Each team in the conference featured three selected players.
Foley was outstanding for the Hoosiers as a freshman, using his plus fastball to his advantage as an important piece in the backend of the bullpen. The Jasper, Ind. native finished 4-2 on the season with a 3.72 earned run average while striking out 42 batters in 20 appearances.
He will have the ability to stay as a high-profile closer or transition to a weekend starter for the Hoosiers in 2024. Foley helps make up a strong contingent of sophomore pitchers that also features Brayden Risedorph and Ethan Phillips.
Taylor, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, helped lead an outstanding offensive attack for IU in 2023. The Cincinnati, Ohio native hit .315 across 55 games while producing 16 home runs and an IU freshman record 59 RBI's.
Ahead of 2024, Taylor has been named a unanimous selection for Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year and was a Preseason Second Team All-American by Perfect Game.
Tibbitts, a mainstay in IU's lineup since 2022, is as consistent as they come on the field. A .357 hitter in 2023 and a career .314 hitter in college, the 6-foot-4 Ohio native is one of the best all-around talents in the entire conference.
He will transition back to his natural position behind the plate but will also rotate into a platoon of players at first base, providing a veteran defensive presence at both positions.
Big Ten coaches also made preseason selections for the top-six finishers in the conference. IU was voted second in the league's preseason poll behind Iowa, a consensus top-25 pick to begin the year. Maryland, Rutgers, Nebraska and Michigan rounded out the top-six teams.
IU will face four of the five fellow members of the Big Ten Preseason Poll in the regular season this year.
Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch List – Indiana
Connor Foley, RHP, So., Jasper, Ind.
Devin Taylor, OF, So., Cincinnati, Ohio
Brock Tibbitts, C, Jr., New Albany, Ohio
Big Ten Preseason Poll
1. Iowa
2. Indiana
3. Maryland
4. Rutgers
5. Nebraska
6. Michigan
Players Mentioned
RHP
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RHP
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RHP
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OF
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