University of Georgia Athletics
Bulldogs Among Candidates For National Awards
April 22, 2026 | Baseball
ATHENS-----Georgia baseball standouts Caden Aoki, Kolby Branch, Daniel Jackson and Tre Phelps are in contention for national awards at their respective positions, it was announced this week.
Aoki, a graduate pitcher who is 5-0 with a 2.68 ERA and three saves, is on the NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year watch list. A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., Aoki has appeared in 11 games with two starts for a total of 40.1 innings. He has registered 54 strikeouts and 15 walks. Finalists for the award will be announced June 3, and the winner will be named June 12 during the 2026 College World Series (CWS).
Branch, a senior from Lucas, Texas, has been named a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award which goes to the nation's top shortstop. Branch has started all 42 games. He is batting .274 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI and fielding .974. The award will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation later this year.
Jackson, a junior catcher from Sandy Springs, and Phelps, a junior third baseman from Atlanta, were among the eight players added the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award (BBNCSA) midseason watch list. This award is based on performance at the plate, academics and personal integrity. Branch was on the initial list too.
Jackson and Phelps, also on the Golden Spikes Award midseason watch list, are among the offensive leaders for the Bulldogs again this season. Jackson is batting a team-best .378 with 20 home runs, 59 RBI and 18 stolen bases while starting all 42 games. Phelps is next on the team , hitting .370 with 14 home runs and 40 RBI in 41 starts. Former Bulldog standout Charlie Condon won the BBNSCA in 2024. The BBNSCA winner usually is announced around the CWS.
SEC-leading Georgia (32-10, 13-5 SEC), ranked as high as No. 5, returns to action Friday when it begins a three-game league series at No. 21 Ole Miss (30-12, 10-8 SEC).
Aoki, a graduate pitcher who is 5-0 with a 2.68 ERA and three saves, is on the NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year watch list. A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., Aoki has appeared in 11 games with two starts for a total of 40.1 innings. He has registered 54 strikeouts and 15 walks. Finalists for the award will be announced June 3, and the winner will be named June 12 during the 2026 College World Series (CWS).
Branch, a senior from Lucas, Texas, has been named a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award which goes to the nation's top shortstop. Branch has started all 42 games. He is batting .274 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI and fielding .974. The award will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation later this year.
Jackson, a junior catcher from Sandy Springs, and Phelps, a junior third baseman from Atlanta, were among the eight players added the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award (BBNCSA) midseason watch list. This award is based on performance at the plate, academics and personal integrity. Branch was on the initial list too.
Jackson and Phelps, also on the Golden Spikes Award midseason watch list, are among the offensive leaders for the Bulldogs again this season. Jackson is batting a team-best .378 with 20 home runs, 59 RBI and 18 stolen bases while starting all 42 games. Phelps is next on the team , hitting .370 with 14 home runs and 40 RBI in 41 starts. Former Bulldog standout Charlie Condon won the BBNSCA in 2024. The BBNSCA winner usually is announced around the CWS.
SEC-leading Georgia (32-10, 13-5 SEC), ranked as high as No. 5, returns to action Friday when it begins a three-game league series at No. 21 Ole Miss (30-12, 10-8 SEC).
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