After our awards and recognition committee’s season-long review of NCAA Division I HBCU baseball action, the following thirty-two HBCU baseball players have been named to the Black College Nines’ Large School Elite teams for the 2024 season. Additional recognition is given to our Player, Pitcher, Freshman and Coach of the Year, as well as to Sports Information Directors and Service Award winners. First and second team selections were made from the 17 Large School NCAA Division I HBCU baseball programs.
Selections were made based upon statistical information, mid-season reports including research provided by Black College Nines and both coaching staffs and their sports information directors. Player, pitcher and coach of the year awards were voted upon by Black College Nines and members of the national media.
The 2024 HBCU National Baseball Player, Pitcher, Freshman and Coach of the Year:
Player of the Year – Justin Journette (Norfolk State University)
Pitcher of the Year – Caleb Granger (Florida A&M University)
Freshman of the Year – Michael Smith (Prairie View A&M University)
Coach of the Year – Jonathan Hernandez (Bethune Cookman University)
Special Service Award
Sports Information Director of the Year – Brian Howard (Alabama A&M University)
Sports Information Director of the Year – Curtis Ford (Grambling State University)
Special Service Promoting HBCU Baseball – Bo Carter (National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association)
Special Service to HBCU Baseball – Sherman Reed (Coppin State University) for his years as a USA TODAY Baseball Coaches Poll Voter
Large School Division (NCAA Division I)
First Team
INF Kyle Walker (Grambling State University)
INF Lenny Montesano (Jackson State University)
INF Juan Cruz (Alabama State University)
INF Randy Flores (Alabama State University)
UTL Evan Bouldin (Delaware State University)
OF Michael Smith (Prairie View A&M University)
OF Jose Gonzalez (Bethune Cookman University)
OF Justin Journette (Norfolk State University)
C Edwin DeLaCruz (University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff)
DH Julian Murphy (Grambling State University)
P Tanner Boccabello (Bethune Cookman University)
P Caleb Granger (Florida A&M University)
P Mason Martinez (Grambling State University)
P Kieran Etwaru (Delaware State University)
P Matthew Krall (Prairie View A&M University)
RP Christian Womble (Jackson State University)
Second Team
INF Sebastian Greico (Florida A&M University)
INF Cameron Bufford (Grambling State University)
INF Tatsunori Negishi (North Carolina A&T State University)
INF Krew Bouldin (Delaware State University)
UTL Tristan Curless (Alabama A&M University)
OF Tyeler Hawkins (Southern University)
OF Michael Burroughs (Prairie View A&M University)
OF Joseph Eichelberger (Jackson State University)
C Canyon Brown (North Carolina A&T State University)
DH Tyran Norris (Prairie View A&M University)
P Isaiah Williams (Jackson State University)
P Coley Kilpatrick (North Carolina A&T State University)
P Jack Messmore (Delaware State University)
P Michael Dews (Prairie View A&M University)
P Carson Kelly (Florida A&M University)
RP Cody Willams (Florida A&M University)