The two-way talent will be on full display this spring for players who play on both sides of the ball. The collegiate game, unlike Major League Baseball, continues to produce two-way players at HBCUs. There are two-way players on many HBCU rosters. Last season, the watch list for the John Olerud Two-Way Player Award only had one player from the HBCU ranks listed out of the 300+ NCAA Division I programs. We at Black College Nines identify and pay homage to the many outstanding two-way stars of HBCU baseball within the collegiate ranks. Hopefully the season finds them draft eligible for Major League Baseball in 2024 who can continue to contribute and produce not only at the college level but the next phase in professional baseball.
Top HBCU Baseball Two-Way Players List:
Alabama State University
Kyler McIntosh SS/RHP, at the plate .336 batting average, banged 14 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs, 39 runs batted in, and scored 54 runs. Played in 56 game starting at shortstop. On the mound in 15 games threw 51.0 innings recording 43 Ks, with eight starts… posted a 3-4 record with two saves.
Savannah State University
Brevin Smith MIF/RHP, freshman very intelligent player, came in and competed from day 1 on the mound and in the middle infield. Three pitch mix on the mound with plus command. Can run and hit with power as a infielder. Will receive playing time as a Two-way guy.
Wiley College
Ivan Del Villar, INF/RHP, batting average at the plate batted .393, 10 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, with 34 runs batted in. On the mound in 7 games started, 26.0 innings pitched, with a 5.88 earned run average, and 21 strikeouts.
Virginia State University
Christian Henderson, RHP/INF last season boosted a 3.79 earned run average, 15 runs batted in.
Honorable Mention:
North Carolina A&T University
Tre Williams, INF/RHP
Xavier University of Louisiana
Deionte Norris, 3B-RHP, Fifth Year
Clark Atlanta University
Mario Cuevas, OF/RHP (Transfer Coppin State University)
Andrew Garner, RHP/OF
Virginia State University
C/RHP Jody Morris
Benedict College
Jayden Jones, RHP/UTL
Kaden Hindman, C/RHP
Jamel Mitchell, RHP/OF
Jayden Jordan, RHP/INF
Lincoln University (PA)
Wesley Hogan, IF/P,
Jaden Greenidge INF/P
Texas Southern University
CJ Castillo, INF/RHP
Coppin State University
Liam McCallum, LHP/UTL
Delaware State University
Wilfredo Mendez, LHP/OF
Krew Bouldin, RHP,OF
Claflin University
Duane Henderson, RHP/OF
Bluefield State University
Tahraun Hammond, RHP/INF (Transfer Virginia State)
Xavier University of Louisiana
Deionte Norris, RHP/INF
Oakwood University
Jorge Hernandez
Talladega College
Jonathan Williams, RHP/INF (Transfer LeMoyne College)
Stillman College
Tre’en Dorsett, RHP/OF