Courtesy: Georgia Gwinnett Athletics
Courtesy: Georgia Gwinnett Athletics

NAIA Announces 2024 Preseason Baseball All-America Team

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The NAIA has announced the 17-player Preseason Baseball All-America Team, selected annually by the NAIA-Baseball Coaches Association (NAIA-BCA) All-America Committee. For more information on NAIA Baseball, click here.

Four starting pitchers are included as well as one relief pitcher while the list included four infielders in addition to two behind the dish. The outfield features four players and the last two spots go to a utility player and a designated hitter.

This year's Preseason All-America Team includes seven First-Team All-Americans from the 2023 campaign including reigning NAIA Player of the Year Ajay Sczepkowski of Georgia Gwinnett; eight others were selected as Second Team honorees last year. Charlie Muniz of Cumberlands (Ky.) is the only player to appear on last season's preseason list. 

Southeastern (Fla.) leads the way with three student-athletes on this list including starting pitcher Darien Smith, relief pitcher Reece Wissinger, and shortstop Isaac Nunez. Cumberlands (Ky.) teammates Max Haprer and Charlie Muniz are selected at first base and catcher, respectively. 

The group features two graduate students, eight seniors, and seven juniors. 

With 20 total conferences sponsoring baseball in the NAIA, 10 are represented by student-athletes on the list. The Sun Conference features three, while two each are from the American Midwest, Great Plains, Mid-South, North Star, and WHAC. Single honorees are out of the Appalachian, Continental, Sooner, and Southern States.

Position Name School Year Hometown
1B Max Harper Cumberlands (Ky.) Gr. Fredericksburg, Va.
2B Jhors Gomez Southwestern Christian (Okla.) Jr. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
3B Bryson Lofton Bryan (Tenn.) Jr. Dalton, Ga.
SS Isaac Nunez Southeastern (Fla.) Sr. Altamonte Springs, Fla.
C Jayson Willers Morningside (Iowa) Jr. Davenport, Iowa
C Charlie Muniz Cumberlands (Ky.) Jr. Naranjito, Puerto Rico
OF Ajay Sczepkowski Georgia Gwinnett Sr. Reading, Pa.
OF Joey Grabanski Concordia (Neb.) Sr. Grand Forks, N.D.
OF RJ Stinson William Carey (Miss.) Gr. Pine Bluff, Ark.
OF Anthony Sharkas Madonna (Mich.) Sr. Canton, Mich. 
SP Anthony Green Missouri Baptist Sr. St. Louis, Mo.
SP Sam Tyrpa Dakota State (S.D.) Jr. Excelsior, Minn.
SP Dustin Schorie Bellevue (Neb.) Sr. Chandler, Ariz.
SP Darien Smith Southeastern (Fla.) Sr. Jacksonville, Fla.
RP Reece Wissinger Southeastern (Fla.) Jr. Burlington, Iowa
DH Cayden Nicoletto Columbia (Mo.) Jr. Perth, Western Australia
UTL Drew Fleming Concordia (Mich.) Sr. Davison, Mich.

 

Championship Information

baseball

67th ANNUAL
BASEBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

World Series
May 24-31, 2024
Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, Idaho

Opening Round
May 13-16, 2024
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