It is the final weekend of conference play across the country as teams gear up for the postseason. Next week the all-conference teams and awards will be unveiled. Today, CBC is unveiling their picks for the All-ACC teams ahead of the official selections on Monday. Tomorrow CBC will make their predictions for the ACC Awards which will include Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, and Freshman of the Year.
A complete list of the compiled All-ACC teams can be found at the end of this article.
Catcher
Honorable mentions: Jacob Cozart (NC State), Tomas Frick (UNC), Alex Stone (Duke)
1st Team: Kyle Teel (Virginia)
2nd Team: Jack Payton (Louisville)
3rd Team: Vinny Martinez (Notre Dame)
Freshman: Brody Donay (Virginia Tech)
Kyle Teel currently leads the conference with a .412 average while starting all 53 of Virginia's games behind the plate this season. The future first round draft pick also has 22 doubles and 10 home runs.
Louisville has had a disappointing season but Jack Payton has produced nonetheless, hitting .386 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs. He's not the most defensively sound defender at the position, but he can rake.
Vinny Martinez has played quite a bit of DH for the Irish this season, but he's a catcher by trade. He's led the Irish with a .307 average and 10 home runs.
Brody Donay beats out Boston College's Adonys Guzman at All-Freshman catcher. In 35 games for the Hokies, the freshman has hit 11 home runs and has an OPS of .993.
1st Base
Honorable Mentions: James Tibbs III (FSU), Garrett Michel (VT), CJ Kayfus (Miami)
1st Team: Nick Kurtz (WF)
2nd Team: Ethan Anderson (Virginia)
3rd Team: Joe Vetrano (Boston College)
Freshman: Garrett Michel (VT)
Nick Kurtz leads the #1 team in the nation with a .359 batting average while also hitting 20 home runs. He's walked more than he's struck out and will likely be a top draft pick come 2024. Only teammate Brock Wilken and UNC's Mac Horvath have more home runs in the ACC.
Virginia's Ethan Anderson has broken out this year after a solid freshman campaign in 2022. The switch-hitting sophomore flies under-the-radar hitting behind Jake Gelof and Kyle Teel, but he's top 10 in the ACC in average, RBIs, and total bases while leading the conference in doubles with 23. He homered from both sides of the plate in the same game against VCU on April 18th.
Boston College has been one of the major surprises of college baseball and first baseman Joe Vetrano has been a massive part of their success. He's 8th in the ACC with 15 home runs.
Garrett Michel beats out NC State's Eli Serrano III for the All-Freshman team as he has established himself as one of the top hitters in the ACC. Hitting leadoff down the stretch for the Hokies, Michel is hitting .346 with 27 extra base hits.
2nd Base
Honorable Mentions: Jackson Van De Brake (UNC), Blake Cyr (Miami)
1st Team: Billy Amick (Clemson)
2nd Team: Justin Johnson (WF)
3rd Team: Kristian Campbell (GT)
Freshman: Kristian Campbell (GT)
Billy Amick is the ACC's reigning Player of the Week and his bat continues to stay hot following a 4-4 night against UNC yesterday. In just 37 games this year he's hitting .436 with 14 doubles and 11 home runs for an incredible 1.281 OPS.
Wake Forest is loaded with talent and Jake Johnson is another Demon Deacon having a stellar year. The junior is hitting .354 with 27 extra base hits and has driven in 58 runs, good for 6th in the ACC.
Redshirt freshman Kristian Campbell has had a sensational debut in Atlanta this year and currently ranks 5th in the ACC with a .385 average. He's the tone setter for a very good Yellow Jacket lineup and has 28 walks to just 15 strikeouts in 41 games. Campbell beats out a very good Blake Cyr (Miami) for the All-Freshman team.
3rd Base
Honorable Mentions: LuJames Groover III (NC State), Carson DeMartini (VT), Jay Beshears (Duke)
1st Team: Brock Wilken (WF)
2nd Team: Yohandy Morales (Miami)
3rd Team: Jake Gelof (Virginia)
Freshman: Cam Smith (FSU)
Brock Wilken is having another incredible season for Wake Forest and is now just 4 home runs shy of Florida State's JD Drew for the conference's all-time record. The junior is getting on base at a .500 clip and has belted an ACC-leading 24 home runs.
Yandy Morales is having a special season for the Hurricanes as they hope to win the ACC Coast Division this weekend and earn the right to host an NCAA Regional. He's currently 3rd in the ACC with a .401 average while slugging 13 home runs and driving in 53 RBIs.
In another conference, Jake Gelof would be a favorite for the Player of the Year award but in the ACC, he's not even the conference's best third baseman. The all-time Virginia home run king is having another special season in Charlottesville, hitting .338 with 20 home runs and an ACC leading 80 RBIs.
Cam Smith came into this season with high expectations and for the most part has met them. The freshman hit .260 with 7 doubles, 5 triples, and 12 home runs. He's not in the running for Freshman of the Year, but he is poised for a big 2024 next season.
Shortstop
Honorable Mentions: Christian Knapczyk (Louisville), Benjamin Blackwell (Clemson), Zack Prajzner (Notre Dame)
1st Team: Griff O'Ferrall (Virginia)
2nd Team: Alex Mooney (Duke)
3rd Team: Dominic Pitelli (Miami)
Freshman: Clay Grady (VT)
Griff O'Ferrall has solidified himself as the ACC's best shortstop this season. The Richmond, Virginia native is competing with teammate Kyle Teel atop the ACC batting race with a .407 average. He leads the ACC in hits and ranks among the Top 10 in runs, stolen bases, and on-base percentage.
Duke's Alex Mooney has been the big bat for the Blue Devils this season. The sophomore is hitting .333 with 26 extra base hits while having stolen 16. He's a big reason for Duke's resurgence this year.
Dominic Pitelli is having a great sophomore season for the Hurricanes while hitting .299 with 11 home runs and 50 RBIs.
The only two freshman starting consistently at shortstop in the ACC is Virginia Tech's Clay Grady and Wake Forest's Malek Houston. In 47 games, Grady is hitting .308 with 10 extra base hits. Malek Houston is a very talented shortstop for the Demon Deacons, but only hitting .221 on the season. Both players will be ones to watch in 2024.
Outfield
Honorable Mentions: Angelo Dispigna (GT), Jaime Ferrer (FSU), Will Taylor (Clemson), Zach Levenson (Miami), Barry Walsh (BC), Travis Honeyman (BC), JT Benson (Louisville), Noah Soles (NC State), Carson Jones (VT)
1st Team: Mac Horvath (UNC), Jack Hurley (VT), Tommy Hawke (WF)
2nd Team: Cam Cannarella (Clemson), Ethan O'Donnell (Virginia), Jake DeLeo (GT)
3rd Team: Stephen Reid (GT), Casey Cook (UNC), Vance Honeycutt (UNC)
Freshman: Cam Cannarella (Clemson) Casey Cook (UNC), Tyler Albright (Duke)
Mac Horvath might just be the ACC Player of the Year. While often playing 3B, he's been mostly in the outfield for the Tar Heels in recent weeks and is hitting .319 with 19 doubles and 21 home runs. His 22 stolen bases lead the ACC.
Jack Hurley missed some time for Virginia Tech following an injury in their series against Florida State, but he's still undoubtedly one of the best hitters in the ACC. His 16 home runs are good for 7th in the conference while his slugging of .748 is good for 4th.
Tommy Hawke currently ranks 13th in the ACC in hitting with a .356 average. He's been a sparkplug for the #1 team in the nation scoring 60 runs and stealing 12 bases.
Clemson's freshman leadoff man Cam Cannarella has had a sensational debut in the ACC this season, hitting .384 in 51 games with 19 extra base hits and 21 stolen bases. He's in the conversation for Freshman Player of the Year.
Ethan O'Donnell has been a major sparkplug for Virginia this season hitting at the top of their lineup. The junior ranks among the ACC's Top 10 in hits, runs, and stolen bases. He adds in 28 extra base hits while playing outstanding centerfield for the 'Hoos.
Georgia Tech might have the best offensive outfield in the ACC, if not the country. Jake DeLeo, Stephen Reid, and honorable mention Angelo Dispigna are all hitting over .350 with 13 or more home runs. DeLeo has 21 doubles and swiped 8 bases while Reid has 13 doubles and 2 triples.
Vance Honeycutt has had a bit of a down year coming off a season in which he hit 25 home runs and stole 29 bases, but he's still one of the best players in the ACC. The future first round pick has a .910 OPS over 50 games and has 19 stolen bases. Freshman teammate Casey Cook has been stellar for the Tar Heels as well while leading the team with a .342 batting average and settling into the leadoff role.
Freshman Tyler Albright has played in 40 games for Duke in the outfield and has been a critical part of their lineup as they look to return to the NCAA Tournament this year. He's hit .304 with 5 doubles and 3 home runs.
Utility
Honorable Mentions: N/A
1st Team: Caden Grice (Clemson)
2nd Team: Jackson Finley (GT)
3rd Team: N/A
Freshman (DH): Cannon Peebles (NC State)
Caden Grice has been Clemson's most valuable player this year as they look to claim a Top 8 National Seed. The two-way star plays 1B and pitches for the Tigers on Sundays. Offensively, he's hitting .296 with 12 doubles and 13 home runs in 51 games. He's also been the Tigers ace, despite not being the Friday or Saturday pitcher. In 11 starts Grice is 6-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 73 strikeouts.
Like Grice at Clemson, Georgia Tech's Jackson Finley does it all. In 49 games he's hitting .315 with 17 doubles and17 home runs. On the mound, he's started 12 games for the Yellow Jackets and hs a 2-4 record and a 5.63 ERA.
Starting Pitcher
Honorable Mentions: Chris Flynn (Boston College), Jack O'Connor (Virginia)
1st Team: Rhett Lowder (WF), Josh Hartle (WF), Aidan Tyrell (Notre Dame)
2nd Team: Carson Liggett (Louisville), Matt Willadsen (NC State), Connelly Early (Virginia)
3rd Team: Dominic Fritton (NC State), Sean Sullivan (WF), Brian Edgington (Virginia)
Freshman: Dominic Fritton (NC State), Jack O'Connor (Virginia)
Wake Forest has the best pitching staff in the country even after losing stud Teddy McGraw and key bullpen arm Crawford Wade early in the season. 2022 ACC Pitcher of the Year Rhett Lowder looks set to win that award again as he's compiled a perfect 12-0 record across 14 starts while striking out 108 batters. Teammate Josh Hartle has been almost as good, going 9-2 with a 2.03 ERA and 101 strikeouts over 13 starts.
Aidan Tyrell has been the ace of Notre Dame's staff in 2023, compiled an impressive 8-2 record and a 2.74 ERA, both good for 4th in the ACC. Carson Liggett has been Louisville's ace and is 7-1 with a 3.02 ERA over 13 starts.
NC State's Matt Willadsen and Dominic Fritton have quietly had very good years for the Wolfpack. Willadsen is 5-4 with a 3.10 ERA while Dominic Fritton has been sensational. The freshman is 5th in the ACC with a 3.09 ERA and batters are only hitting .198 against him, the lowest in the conference.
Connelly Early has shined as Virginia's midweek starter before moving into the weekend rotation last week against Louisville. The Army transfer is 2nd in the conference with 10 wins and boasts a 2.70 ERA, good for 3rd in the ACC.
Sean Sullivan, the Northwestern transfer, completes the lethal three-headed monster that is the Wake Forest weekend rotation. The sophomore replaced the injured Teddy McGraw and is 5-2 with a 2.56 ERA over 12 games and has 91 strikeouts to his credit.
Brian Edgington has bounced around Virginia's weekend rotation a bit and was outstanding early in the season. After a big game against Louisville last weekend to get his season back on track, the Elon graduate transfer is 7-3 with a 3.33 ERA and leads Virginia with 73 strikeouts. Jack O'Connor gets the nod for the All-Freshman team after going 5-3 with a 4.21 ERA in 14 games as UVA's Sunday starter.
Relief Pitcher
Honorable Mentions: Michael Massey (WF), Ben King (GT), Owen Proksch (Duke)
1st Team: James Tallon (Duke), Andrew Walters (Miami)
2nd Team: Nash Bryan (Pitt), Seth Keener (WF)
3rd Team: Matt Poston (UNC), Camden Minacci (WF)
Freshman: James Tallon (Duke), Owen Proksch (Duke)
Duke's impressive second half of the season is a credit to their bullpen, which is anchored by freshman studs James Tallon and Owen Proksch. In 20 games serving primarily has the team's closer, Tallon is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA and 11 saves. He's thrown 50 strikeouts in just 30 innings and batters are hitting just .146 against him. Proksch has been a little less effective but still makes the All-Freshman team with a 5-2 record and a 3.58 ERA across 32.2 innings of relief.
Miami's Andrew Walters has been the most consistent member of the Hurricane pitching staff. In 22 appearances as the team's closer and bullpen ace, he's 3-0 with a 1.31 ERA and 9 saves.
Pitt's Nash Bryan has been amazing for the Panthers this season coming out of the bullpen, going 5-2 with a 3.52 ERA and 7 saves.
Wake Forest has by far the best pitching staff in the country and that extends to their bullpen which is led by Seth Keener and Camden Minacci. In 18 appearances this year, which includes four starts, Seth Keener is 6-0 with a 1.40 ERA in 51.1 innings pitched. Hitters are batting just .153 against him. Minacci is the closer and has a 3.42 ERA and 10 saves to his credit in 21 appearances.
1st Team All-ACC
C- Kyle Teel, Virginia
1B- Nick Kurtz, Wake Forest
2B- Billy Amick, Clemson
3B- Brock Wilken, Wake Forest
SS- Griff O'Ferrall, Virginia
OF- Mac Horvath, North Carolina
OF- Jack Hurley, Virginia Tech
OF- Tommy Hawke, Wake Forest
UT- Caden Grice, Clemson
SP- Rhett Lowder, Wake Forest
SP- Josh Hartle, Wake Forest
SP- Aiden Tyrell, Notre Dame
RP- James Tallon, Duke
RP- Andrew Walters Miami
2nd Team All-ACC
C- Jack Payton, Louisville
1B- Ethan Anderson, Virginia
2B- Justin Johnson, Wake Forest
3B- Yohandy Morales, Miami
SS- Alex Mooney, Duke
OF- Ethan O'Donnell, Virginia
OF- Jake DeLeo, Georgia Tech
OF- Cam Cannarella, Clemson
UT- Jackson Finely, Georgia Tech
SP- Carson Liggett, Louisville
SP- Matt Willadsen, NC State
SP- Connelly Early, Virginia
RP- Nash Bryan, Pittsburgh RP- Seth Keener, Wake Forest
3rd Team All-ACC
C- Vinny Martinez, Notre Dame
1B- Joe Vetrano, Boston College
2B- Kristian Campbell, Georgia Tech
3B- Jake Gelof, Virginia
SS- Dominic Pitelli, Miami
OF- Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina
OF- Casey Cook, North Carolina
OF- Stephen Reid, Georgia Tech
UT- N/A
SP- Dominic Fritton, NC State
SP- Sean Sullivan, Wake Forest
SP- Brian Edgington, Virginia
RP- Matt Poston, North Carolina
RP- Camden Minacci, Wake Forest
Freshman All-ACC
C- Brody Donay, Virginia Tech
1B- Garrett Michel, Virginia Tech
2B- Kristian Campbell, Georgia Tech
3B- Cam Smith, Florida State
SS- Clay Grady, Virginia Tech
OF- Cam Cannarella, Clemson
OF- Casey Cook, North Carolina
OF- Tyler Albright, Duke
DH- Cannon Peebles, NC State
SP- Dominic Fritton, NC State
SP- Jack O'Connor, Virginia
RP- James Tallon, Duke
RP- Owen Proksch, Duke
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