LUBBOCK, Texas — San Diego baseball's Austin Smith has been named one of five semifinalists for the 2024 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, the College Baseball Foundation announced on Monday morning (June 3). The award is given annually to the country's top college baseball player who both pitches and hits.

Smith shined this year on both sides of the ball, posting a 7-0 record, three saves, a 3.49 ERA, and 49 strikeouts across 56.2 innings pitched, eight relief appearances, and nine starts. At the plate he batted .314 (64-for-204) with 42 runs scored, 11 doubles, seven home runs, 39 RBIs, and 13 hit by pitches while slugging .471 and getting on base at a .429 clip.

In 2023, he was named a semifinalist for the award, which 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 and was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.

Smith is the only finalist this season from a school on the West Coast.

The winner of the 2024 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award will be announced on June 18.

For more information on the Olerud Award, visit the College Baseball Foundation website

2024 JOHN OLERUD TWO-WAY PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Ethan Bates | Senior | Louisiana Tech | Conference USA

Carson Benge | Junior | Oklahoma State | Big 12

*Jac Caglianone | Senior Florida SEC

Cameron Jones | Senior | Georgia Tech ACC

Austin Smith | Junior | San Diego | West Coast

* -- 2023 finalist