Nation's top shortstops featured on the 2025 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award watch list

By College Baseball Foundation | April 18, 2025

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The nation’s best shortstops are featured on the 2025 watch list for the Brooks Wallace Award, which was released by the College Baseball Foundation.

The award honors the nation's top shortstop and will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation later this year. It is named for former Texas Tech shortstop Brooks Wallace, who played for the Red Raiders from 1977 to 1980. Wallace died of leukemia at the age of 27.

The top 100 shortstops in the country were announced, led by several players putting up tremendous offensive numbers. But because the award is reflective of more than just offense, there are numerous players putting up solid defensive numbers as well.

“It's a great time of the year when we get to start diving into looking at all the shortstops from around the country and who might best represent the Brooks Wallace Award this year,” said Larry Wallace, co-chair of the Brooks Wallace Award. “This list doesn't disappoint with some stellar offensive numbers along with some outstanding gloves to represent the shortstop position.”

Six shortstops on the watch list have already earned distinction as Brooks Wallace Award weekly honorees. Wehiwa Aloy (Arkansas), Aiva Arquette (Oregon State), Core Jackson (Utah), Matt King (Arizona State), Alex Lodise (Florida State) and Maximus Martin (Kansas State) have been recognized this season.

For more information on the Brooks Wallace Award, visit the College Baseball Foundation website at www.collegebaseballhall.org.

2025 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award Watch List

Name, School, Conference

About the College Baseball Foundation

The purpose of the College Baseball Foundation (CBF) 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 College Baseball Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Support for the College Baseball Hall of Fame will help preserve the rich history of the sport for future generations. All donations to the College Baseball Hall of Fame are tax deductible and can be made via this link on the organization’s website.

The CBF presents the Brooks Wallace Award (Nation’s Most Outstanding Shortstop), the National Pitcher of the Year, the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year, the Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year, the George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence Award.

About the College Baseball Hall of Fame

Each year, more than 190 representatives nationwide vote on the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The voting body is comprised of national and regional college baseball media, active and retired coaches, former players, former inductees, college baseball historians and members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) collegiate baseball committee. The College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2006. Since that time, 165 players, coaches, umpires, administrators and contributors have been selected for induction. Click here for a full list of College Baseball Hall of Fame classes.

The College Baseball Hall of Fame will establish a physical location in Overland Park, Kan., in early 2026. Located within the iconic Museum at Prairiefire, the College Baseball Hall of Fame will serve as a shared community asset, deepening connections to the nation's favorite pastime through a dynamic and ever-evolving space for college baseball enthusiasts to celebrate the sport's rich past, present and future.