RICHMOND, Va. – Recognized as the best statewide freshman in the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) University Division, Virginia Tech first baseman Garrett Michel was named the 2023 VaSID Rookie of the Year on Tuesday, leading the Hokies' class of three all-state honorees as so named by the organization.
Michel – Virginia Tech's second consecutive VaSID Rookie of the Year selection (Drue Hackenberg) – denied Virginia a sweep of this year's major awards, sharing in such opposite UVA rivals Brian O'Connor (Coach of the Year), Connelly Early (Pitcher of the Year) and Kyle Teel (Player of the Year).
Sophomore second baseman Christian Martin, junior outfielder Jack Hurley and sophomore designated hitter Carson DeMartini followed Michel by earning placement on the 2023 VaSID All-State First Team. The Hokies' three such honorees ranked as the second most First Team selections within the University Division, trailing Virginia's seven.
Virginia's all-state teams and major award winners are voted on and chosen by the state's assembly of sports information directors (VaSID); the University class is open only to NCAA Division I coaches and student-athletes.
Named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper last month, Michel impressed during his first season in Blacksburg, making 40 of his 51 starts at first base while compiling 16 doubles, 11 home runs, 51 runs, 45 RBIs and 37 walks. The 2023 ACC All-Freshman mention finished with the league's 11th highest on-base percentage (.465) in addition to cracking the top 20 on the conference lists in both batting average (.339) and slugging percentage (.626).
Martin paced Virginia Tech in batting average (.345) while taking over full-time duties at second base, registering the third highest hits total (60) on the Hokies. The native of Amherst, Virginia, accounted for seven doubles, three triples and three home runs, stole eight bases and led Tech in sacrifice hits (four) in addition to flexing a .979 fielding percentage.
Placing onto the VaSID All-State First Team for the second time during his career (2022, 2023), Hurley posted the third highest slugging percentage (.713) among ACC players, championing the same category when reduced to conference-only games (.743). Prior to his 2023 MLB Draft selection at No. 80 overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the 2023 All-ACC First Team outfielder hammered 15 doubles, two triples and 17 home runs this spring with the Hokies, scoring 46 runs, delivering 49 RBIs and boasting a .987 fielding percentage.
Upgrading from the 2022 VaSID All-State Second Team, DeMartini deservingly earned First Team status in 2023, pacing Tech in runs (58), RBIs (57) and walks (46) while mashing 13 doubles, four triples and 10 home runs. Despite nursing a midseason injury by moving to designated hitter in April, he hit safely during all but five of his final 22 games played, uncorking his second multi-homer game of the season on April 29 at North Carolina.
ABOUT VaSID
Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) names 44 all-state teams in 23 sports each year as well as an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a university or conference in the state of Virginia.