For the second consecutive season, Trey Swygart, a sophomore at Portland Pilots, has been named to the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Watch List. Swygart is among 49 players recognized for their ability to contribute both as pitchers and hitters in college baseball.
The John Olerud Award honors dual-role players and is one of four awards given by the College Baseball Foundation and the College Baseball Hall of Fame. The award is named after John Olerud, who played as both pitcher and first baseman at Washington State.
Swygart was the first player in Portland Pilots history to be selected for this list last year and returns again this season. In his previous season, he played in 32 games with 25 starts, achieving a batting average of .342 and an OPS of 1.144. He also recorded six home runs and 14 RBIs. On the mound, Swygart pitched 31 innings, struck out 25 batters, and had an ERA of 6.97. He received recognition as a Freshman All-American from Perfect Game.
This season, Swygart has pitched in three games with one start, throwing a total of 8.2 innings with an ERA of 3.12. His recent performance against Niagara resulted in his first official win for the team. Additionally, he has participated in ten games as a position player, collecting four hits including a double and one RBI.
The Pilots are currently hosting Holy Cross Crusaders in a four-game series that begins on Thursday, March 5 and continues through Sunday, March 8.
According to the College Baseball Foundation (CBF), its mission is “to preserve, elevate, and advance the game; to inspire the next generation; to teach those who love college baseball about its rich history and traditions; to celebrate those who make college baseball special; and to honor those who have come before us, and built the foundation upon which college baseball thrives today.” The CBF operates as a nonprofit organization supporting efforts such as maintaining records for the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
The CBF also presents several other awards: Brooks Wallace Award (for outstanding shortstop), National Pitcher of the Year Award, Skip Bertman Coach of the Year Award, George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award, and Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence.
The College Baseball Hall of Fame selects inductees annually through voting by over 200 representatives from across media outlets, coaching staff—both active and retired—former players and inductees themselves along with historians associated with SABR’s collegiate committee. Since its inception in 2006, it has inducted more than 175 individuals including players and contributors from different areas within college baseball.
In 2026, Overland Park will become home to a physical location for the College Baseball Hall of Fame inside Museum at Prairiefire—a venue intended as “a shared community asset” connecting fans further with college baseball’s heritage.
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