MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University baseball standout JJ Wetherholt has been named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year, earning every vote from the Big 12 head coaches.
 
The junior is the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year after leading the country with a .449 batting average in 2023 while also tallying 16 home runs, 24 doubles, 67 runs, 60 RBI and 36 stolen bases. He earned unanimous First Team All-America status after the season while also being named a First-Team Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators.
 
Entering the 2024 season, Wetherholt is projected as one of the top selections in the upcoming MLB Draft including being listed as the top prospect by MLB.com, Baseball America and Perfect Game.
 
The Mountaineers begin the 2024 campaign on Feb. 16, on the road at Stetson in DeLand, Florida. The first chance to catch WVU at Wagener Field at Monongalia County Ballpark will be on Feb. 28, when the Mountaineers take on Canisius.
 
The Big 12 Preseason Poll will be revealed on Thursday, Jan. 25.
 
Preseason All-Big 12 Team
C: Karson Bowen, TCU
IF: Kodey Shojinaga, Kansas
IF: Kaelen Culpepper, K-State
IF: Anthony Silva, TCU
IF: Gavin Kash, Texas Tech*
IF: JJ Wetherholt, West Virginia*
OF: Bryce Madron, Oklahoma
OF: Nolan Schubart, Oklahoma State*
OF: Porter Brown, Texas
DH: Janson Reeder, Kansas
UT: Carson Benge, Oklahoma State
SP: Owen Boerema, K-State
SP: Kole Klecker, TCU*
SP: Payton Tolle, TCU
SP: Lebarron Johnson Jr., Texas*
RP: Tyson Neighbors, K-State*
RP: Ben Abeldt, TCU
 
Preseason Player of the Year
JJ Wetherholt, West Virginia*
 
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Lebarron Johnson Jr., Texas
 
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Payton Tolle, TCU
 
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Will Gasparino, Texas
 
*- unanimous selection
 
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