Burress, Knaak are 2024 National Freshman Players of the Year

Durress led Georgia Tech in batting average (.381), home runs (25), RBI (67); Knaak posted a 5-1 record with a 3.35 ERA over 83 1/3 innings for Clemson.
Durress led Georgia Tech in batting average (.381), home runs (25), RBI (67); Knaak posted a 5-1 record with a 3.35 ERA over 83 1/3 innings for Clemson.

DALLAS (NCBWA) -- Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress and Clemson right-hander Aidan Knaak have been named the 2024 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association National Freshman Hitter and Pitcher of the Year recipients, as announced by the organization today.

Burress
Burress

The Houston County, Ga., native was named to the NCBWA Freshman All-America first team yesterday. Along with being a Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist, he was also a 2024 Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. Burress finished the year among the top 20 nationally in seven offensive categories. The outfielder ended the year ranked among the top 20 nationally in home runs (13th), home runs per game (18th), slugging percentage (9th), total bases (8th), walks (9th), walks per game (14th) and on base percentage (16th). 

Burress led Georgia Tech in batting average, home runs, and RBI, becoming the 12th Yellow Jacket and the first since 2016 to win the Georgia Tech Triple Crown. The outfielder also set a new Georgia Tech single-season freshman record, finishing the year second in program history with 25 home runs. In addition, he set a Georgia Tech record by hitting four home runs in a game in a win over Georgia State on Feb. 27. 

Knaak
Knaak

The Fort Myers, Fla. native helped the Tigers capture the 2024 Clemson, S.C. Regional title and post a 44-16 overall record. Clemson won the 2024 ACC Atlantic Division and ranked as high as No. 2 in the NCBWA Division Weekly Poll during the 2024 season. Knaak finished the year among the ACC leaders in ERA (4th), innings pitched (6th), batters struck out (3rd) and opponent batting average (5th). 

Knaak was voted to the NCBWA Freshman All-American first team, yesterday. The right-hander was named the ACC Pitcher of the Week twice during the season. He set a new Clemson freshman record for strikeouts.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters, and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Web site, ncbwa.com. For more information about the 2024 NCBWA Freshman All-American team, contact Ryan Bomberger (rbomberger@liberty.edu).