Indiana University Athletics
Hanley Named Perfect Game Preseason All-American
1/7/2026 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Perfect Game officially kickstarted the beginning of the college baseball season with the release of its Preseason All-American teams on Wednesday (Jan. 7) afternoon. The organization tabbed sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley as a Third Team selection ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Hanley, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, produced one of the best first-year campaigns in program history. The Mason, Ohio native had 14 home runs, 52 RBIs and 73 hits while starting all 56 games at first base. On top of his offensive prowess, Hanley played elite defense for head coach Jeff Mercer. He had zero errors on the season and was a national finalist for the Rawlings/ABCA Gold Glove award.
He enters the season with a seven-game reached-base streak that dates back to last year. He had a season-long 10-game hitting streak in 2025 to begin his college career. IU returns a deep sophomore core with four returning starters that played at least 45 games last season. Three of IU's four infield starters (Hanley, shortstop Cooper Malamazian and third baseman Will Moore) will resume their starting spots.
Hanley was one of three Big Ten players to make a Perfect Game Preseason All-American team, joining Roch Cholowsky (UCLA) and Maddox Molony (Oregon). Henry Ford (Tennessee) and Brady Ballinger (Kansas) were the other first baseman honored by the national outlet.
IU begins its 2026 campaign in February with a true road series at North Carolina (Feb. 13-15).
Hanley, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, produced one of the best first-year campaigns in program history. The Mason, Ohio native had 14 home runs, 52 RBIs and 73 hits while starting all 56 games at first base. On top of his offensive prowess, Hanley played elite defense for head coach Jeff Mercer. He had zero errors on the season and was a national finalist for the Rawlings/ABCA Gold Glove award.
He enters the season with a seven-game reached-base streak that dates back to last year. He had a season-long 10-game hitting streak in 2025 to begin his college career. IU returns a deep sophomore core with four returning starters that played at least 45 games last season. Three of IU's four infield starters (Hanley, shortstop Cooper Malamazian and third baseman Will Moore) will resume their starting spots.
Hanley was one of three Big Ten players to make a Perfect Game Preseason All-American team, joining Roch Cholowsky (UCLA) and Maddox Molony (Oregon). Henry Ford (Tennessee) and Brady Ballinger (Kansas) were the other first baseman honored by the national outlet.
IU begins its 2026 campaign in February with a true road series at North Carolina (Feb. 13-15).
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