The Atlantic Coast Conference announced its 2025 baseball season awards and all-conference teams on May 19, 2025, highlighting the conference’s top performers from a competitive season. This year’s selections, determined by votes from the ACC’s 16 head coaches, feature a mix of established stars and breakthrough talents across the diamond.
With postseason play set to begin, these awards provide crucial context for journalists covering the conference tournament and subsequent NCAA regional action, spotlighting the players who could make the difference in championship pursuits.
ACC 2025 Baseball Awards Announced
Individual Award Winners
Florida State shortstop Alex Lodise dominated the individual honors, becoming the first player to win both ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. Lodise’s exceptional performance included a .422 batting average and 17 home runs, establishing him as the conference’s most complete player.
North Carolina’s Jake Knapp earned Pitcher of the Year honors following an undefeated regular season (11-0) with a 2.14 ERA, becoming the first Tar Heel since J.B. Bukauskas (2017) to claim the award.
Georgia Tech third baseman/reliever Alex Hernandez was named Freshman of the Year after hitting .337 with 13 home runs while contributing both at the plate and on the mound. His versatility proved instrumental in the Yellow Jackets’ success.
Yellow Jackets’ skipper Danny Hall secured Coach of the Year recognition after guiding Georgia Tech to a 19-11 conference record and the program’s first outright ACC regular-season championship since 2005, marking his fifth career Coach of the Year award.
All-ACC First Team
The 16-player first team features representation from eight different programs, with Florida State, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina each placing three players on the elite squad. Clemson’s pitching duo of Aidan Knaak and Lucas Mahlstedt both earned first-team honors, while Louisville’s outfield tandem of Lucas Moore and Zion Rose also received recognition.
The complete first team balances offensive firepower with defensive excellence and premium pitching, exemplifying the conference’s depth of talent. Wake Forest ace Blake Morningstar rounds out the pitching staff after another stellar campaign for the Demon Deacons.
All-ACC Second Team
The second team features 18 standout performers, including ACC newcomer California’s Jarren Advincula at second base. Duke placed two players on the second team with outfielder AJ Gracia and first baseman Jake Hyde earning recognition for their contributions to the Blue Devils’ success this season.
Georgia Tech’s continued excellence is reflected in three second-team selections, while Virginia’s strong postseason outlook is bolstered by outfielder Henry Ford and second baseman Henry Godbout earning spots on the squad.
All-ACC Third Team
The third team features 17 additional players who delivered consistent performance throughout the season. Stanford’s Trevor Haskins represents the Cardinal at third base, while Notre Dame’s pitching depth is acknowledged with Rory Fox and Jack Radel both earning recognition.
NC State’s pitching staff received validation with Dominic Fritton and Ryan Marohn making the third team, potentially positioning the Wolfpack as a dangerous tournament opponent with quality arms.
All-ACC Freshman Team
Georgia Tech’s impressive freshman class placed two members on the All-Freshman team, with ACC Freshman of the Year Alex Hernandez joined by outfielder Caleb Daniel. Louisville’s Tague Davis and Ethan Eberle represent the Cardinals’ strong recruiting efforts.
NC State freshmen Anderson Nance and Ty Head earned recognition as key contributors to the Wolfpack’s success, while Virginia’s Tomas Valincius rounds out the squad after an impressive debut season on the mound for the Cavaliers.
University Representation Breakdown
North Carolina led all programs with eight total selections across the four teams, followed by Georgia Tech with seven and Florida State with six. The Yellow Jackets’ seven selections across all teams reflect the program’s dominance this season under Coach Hall’s leadership.
Virginia’s five selections and four each from Clemson, Duke, Louisville and NC State demonstrate the competitive balance throughout the conference. Every ACC program placed at least one player on an all-conference team, highlighting the widespread talent across the league.
Selection Criteria
The selection process prioritized consistent excellence throughout the season, with special emphasis on statistical performance, defensive contributions, team success, and leadership qualities. Player recognition was determined through a comprehensive evaluation of both traditional and advanced metrics.
Coaches’ votes reflected respect for both individual achievement and contextual performance, balancing raw statistics with the quality of competition faced throughout the season. The final selections represent the consensus view on the conference’s most impactful players.
Hall’s Milestone and Program Trajectory
Danny Hall’s fifth Coach of the Year award underscores his remarkable longevity and consistent excellence at Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets’ return to the top of the ACC standings signals a program resurgence under his leadership, potentially positioning Georgia Tech for an extended postseason run.
The championship represents a significant milestone for Georgia Tech’s program, breaking a 20-year drought without an outright regular season title and establishing momentum heading into the postseason.
Quotes
Full statements from award recipients and coaches are available through university athletic departments and the ACC’s official channels. The conference tournament begins later this week, where these honored players will have the opportunity to validate their selections with postseason performances.
As the ACC prepares for its conference tournament, these awards provide a framework for understanding the season’s narrative and identifying the key players who will shape the championship chase. For sports journalists covering the tournament, these selections offer essential context for the stories that will unfold on the diamond in the coming weeks.
