Just Baseball’s 2026 ACC Conference Awards

The regular season has come to a close, and the ACC will announce its individual season awards on Monday afternoon. Back in early April, I published a midseason awards article for Just Baseball Media, which you can read here. 

Although most awards appear to have a clear winner, I’ll discuss the candidates for each before making a prediction and sharing who I think should win.

The All-ACC Teams and Season Awards will be announced at approximately 2 pm on Monday afternoon.

ACC Coach of the Year

Before the season, Todd Interdonato and Boston College were picked to finish dead last in the ACC. The Eagles were a force in the ACC from the get-go, as they stunned Miami in Coral Gables to start conference play. With six games left, BC was 17-7 in the ACC and in title contention.

Ultimately, they finished 1-5 down the stretch and finished fourth in the regular season, but that’s still a far cry from 16th. They are a lock for the postseason and had a historically great campaign. With a 36-20 record, the program’s first 40-win season is still in reach. 

James Ramsey became the first ACC coach to win a regular-season title in his first season as a head coach since Bill Wilhelm did it at Clemson way back in 1958. The Yellow Jackets posted a 45-9 record, which is the best program record by winning percentage since 1920.

It’s been a record-setting season for the Jackets, who won their second straight ACC regular-season title. They will certainly host a Regional and could even be the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Scott Forbes and what he’s done yet again at North Carolina. For the third straight year, he’s rebuilt a team into a national championship contender. 

The Heels replaced eight of their nine position players and ACC Pitcher of the Year Jake Knapp. And finished the regular season with a better record than last year, losing just one weekend series all season.

Prediction: Todd Interdonato (Boston College)

Monty’s Pick: Todd Interdonato (Boston College)

ACC Defensive Player of the Year

This is the most wide-open of the conference awards. Last season, I predicted Cam Cannarella (Clemson) would win the award and argued for Carson Kerce (Georgia Tech). UNC’s Tyson Bass and Luke Stevenson were also mentioned as possibilities, as was Duke’s Wallace Clark. 

Alex Lodise, who did win the award while doubling up with ACC Player of the Year honors, was also briefly mentioned. Advanced metrics favor certain players, while reputation and highly viewed game-changing plays favor others. 

If we’re talking about exposure and human highlight reels, look no further than Georgia Tech star Drew Burress, who has a knack for game-changing outfield assists and dazzling diving catches.

Despite those incredible plays, Burress has just four outfield assists and isn’t even Top 20 in the ACC in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). Teammate Vahn Lackey is another player with a great reputation for defense. He’s been solid this year and is 11th in the ACC with an 8.45 DRS.

Colton Quagliano of Duke leads the ACC and is 2nd in the nation with an 18.52 DRS. Only Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick is better. He’s played incredible defense all season for the Blue Devils, anchoring a staunch infield with freshman second baseman Collin Anderson and junior shortstop Jake Lambdin.

While Burress and Lackey have the reputation, teammate Ryan Zuckerman has the metrics and a handful of highlight reel plays at the hot corner. The Yardley, Pennsylvania native is second in the ACC and 9th in the nation with a 14.43 DRS.

This year’s Defensive Player Award should go to Quagliano or Zuckerman. Those two have been the best third basemen in the conference and deserve to be recognized. Boston College’s Julio Solier and NC State’s Ty Head may also be in consideration.

Prediction: Vahn Lackey (Georgia Tech)

Monty’s Pick: Colton Qualiano (Duke)

ACC Freshman of the Year

Georgia Tech has won the last two ACC Freshman of the Year awards, but that will end in 2026. A pitcher hasn’t won the award since Florida State’s Parker Messick won in 2021, but Caden Glauber (North Carolina) is the clear favorite. 

Glauber has a case for ACC Pitcher of the Year, as he leads the conference with a 1.94 ERA over 69.2 innings pitched. Opposing hitters are batting just .179 against him. Serving primarily as a reliever, the youngster has saved the Tar Heels in multiple series. 

In UNC’s lone series loss, Virginia was up 5-1 and looking to sweep when Glauber entered and stifled the ‘Hoos long enough for the offense to rally. Carolina was on the verge of losing a series to Clemson when Glauber entered in the 9th inning and tossed five shutout innings to earn the win.

In any other year, Teddy Tokheim (Stanford) would be the clear frontrunner. The first baseman and outfielder is slashing .360/.422/.720 with 38 extra base hits. He is Top 5 in the ACC in doubles and home runs.  

Rett Johnson (NC State) has been the Wolfpack’s most consistent hitter, batting .396 in the leadoff role with 10 doubles and one home run. He’s played outstanding defense and is a menace on the basepaths. 

Two darkhorse candidates include shortstop Jett Kenady (Cal) and Evan Jones (Wake Forest). Kenady has been Cal’s shortstop all season and slugged 29 extra base hits while batting .328. Jones has been a bullpen ace, posting a 3.76 ERA over 38.1 innings with 52 strikeouts.

Prediction: Caden Glauber (North Carolina)

Monty’s Pick: Caden Glauber (North Carolina)

ACC Pitcher of the Year

This is the first time since I’ve been covering the ACC in which the Pitcher of the Year race isn’t a slam dunk. Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, and Jake Knapp were all easy picks from 2023 through 2025. But this year, the race still appears wide open.

North Carolina could have two pitchers in the discussion, as the aforementioned Caden Glauber has an argument, but only Jason DeCaro will be nominated. DeCaro went 10-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 14 starts, striking out 69 batters over 71 innings. 

DeCaro has the best ERA among the pitchers considered and is tied with Levonas for the ACC lead in wins, but lacks the strikeouts and innings pitched.  

Wes Mendes (Florida State) went 9-3 over 14 starts with a 2.68 ERA, striking out 109 batters while walking just 23 in 84 innings. He’s third in wins, second in innings and strikeouts, and fourth in opposing batting average. 

Chris Levonas (Wake Forest) went 10-3 with a 2.90 ERA while striking out 110 batters in just 68.1 innings. Levonas, like DeCaro, doesn’t have a ton of innings but does lead the ACC in strikeouts and a .175 opposing batting average.

Jack Radel (Notre Dame) went 7-4 with a 3.32 ERA over 81.1 innings while striking out 108 batters. The junior finished third in walks and has been Notre Dame’s most valuable asset. He tossed two shutouts in ACC play and had a perfect 6-inning outing against UCF.

Gavin Eddy (Cal) and Michael Sharman (Clemson) should also get some love, but they’re not in my Top 5 for the award.

Prediction: Jason DeCaro (North Carolina)

Monty’s Pick: Wes Mendes (Florida State)

ACC Player of the Year

As I wrote last week, Tague Davis (Louisville) should be a frontrunner for the Golden Spikes, the award for college baseball’s best player. He’s slugged an ACC record 34 home runs and is just two away from the all-time BBCOR era mark. He’s a lock for ACC Player of the Year.

If it weren’t for Davis, it would be interesting to see which of the three Georgia Tech stars would win the award. Vahn Lackey, Jarren Advincula, and Drew Burress all have the resumes, but only one can even be nominated.

My guess is that Jarren Advincula will get the nod after posting Georgia Tech’s first 100-hit season since 2005. The former Cal Bear won the regular season batting title by hitting .441, and has only struck out 16 times this season. He has a hit in 50 of Georgia Tech’s 54 games.

It took five years, but we finally got the Lorenzo Carrier (Pitt) breakout season we were waiting for. The fifth-year senior slashed .396/.543/.819 with 35 extra base hits. He’s Top 5 in the ACC for batting average, home runs, RBI, walks, OBP, and slugging.

Other players having award-worthy years include Miami’s Derek Williams and Georgia Tech’s Carson Kerce.

Prediction: Tague Davis (Louisville)

Monty’s Pick: Tague Davis (Louisville)

All Conference 1st Team

C Vahn Lackey, Georgia Tech

1B Tague Davis, Louisville

2B Jarren Advincula, Georgia Tech

3B Dalton Wentz, Wake Forest

SS Carson Kerce, Georgia Tech

IF Jake Schaffner, North Carolina

OF Lorenzo Carrier, Pitt

OF Derek Williams, Miami

OF Owen Hull, North Carolina

DH Nate Savoie, Clemson

SP Jason DeCaro, North Carolina

SP Wes Mendes, Florida State

SP Chris Levonas, Wake Forest 

SP Jack Radel, Notre Dame

RP Caden Glauber, North Carolina

RP John Abraham, Florida State

RP Walker McDuffie, North Carolina

RP Anderson Nance, North Carolina

All Conference 2nd Team

C Mark Quatrani, Notre Dame

1B Kade Lewis, Wake Forest

2B Luke Nixon, NC State

3B Ryan Zuckerman, Georgia Tech

SS Julio Solier, Boston College

IF Bayram Hot, Louisville

OF Drew Burress, Georgia Tech

OF Luke Costello, Wake Forest

OF Zion Rose, Louisville

DH Bino Watters, Notre Dame

SP Gavin Eddy, Cal

SP Rob Evans, Miami

SP Michael Sharman, Clemson

SP Jackson Blakely, Georgia Tech

RP Gavin Soares, Boston College

RP Cesar Gonzalez, Boston College

RP Tyler Kapa, Virginia

RP Mason Patel, Georgia Tech

All Conference 3rd Team

C Alex Sosa, Miami

1B Nick Wang, Boston College

2B Eric Jeon, Stanford

3B Cooper Nicholson, North Carolina

SS Caden Dulin, Pitt

IF Sherman Johnson, NC State

OF Teddy Tokheim, Stanford

OF AJ Gracia, Virginia

OF Drew Berkland, Notre Dame

DH Will Baker, Georgia Tech

SP Oliver de la Torre, Cal

SP AJ Ciscar, Miami

SP Bryson Moore, Florida State

SP AJ Colarusso, Boston College

RP Lucas Hartman, Virginia

RP Trevor Moore, Stanford

RP Cole Clark, Cal

RP Chris Knier, Florida State

All Conference Freshman Team

C Alonzo Alvarez, Miami

1B Dylan Passo, Notre Dame

2B Ethan Ball, Virginia Tech

3B Luke Gallo, Boston College

SS Jett Kenady, Cal

IF Kade Elam, Louisville

OF Rett Johnson, NC State

OF John Stuetzer, Florida State

OF Dylan Dubovik, Miami

DH Teddy Tokheim, Stanford

P Caden Glauber, North Carolina

P Jackson Rose, North Carolina

P Danny Nelson, Clemson

P Dylan Harrison, Clemson

P Dimitri Angelakos, Georgia Tech

P Noah Yoder, Virginia

P Otto Espinoza, Cal

P Trent Roach, Cal