OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The two-way player is integral to college baseball, and that is something Evan Dempsey exemplifies at Florida Gulf Coast University. As such, the Eagles' junior has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, which represents the best dual role players in the nation.

Dempsey is one of 15 players selected as semifinalists who have made significant contributions to their team's success this season, while competing in 12 different conferences. He is the only ASUN player selected as a semifinalist and is one of just two players from the state of Florida named by the College Baseball Foundation.

"We said at the beginning of the year that this was one of the deepest and most talented watch lists we've seen for the John Olerud Award, and that has certainly paid out over the course of the season," said George Watson, chairman of the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award. "It's also been pleasing to see so many teams embrace the two-way talent when roster-building has become more and more challenging, and our semifinalists are thriving not only individually but in the team concept as well. It should be an exciting fight to the finish."

Offensively this season, Dempsey is hitting .360 with 45 runs scored, 62 hits, a team-leading 17 doubles, seven home runs, eight stolen bases and drawing 23 walks. His 17 doubles ranks 26^th in the nation, and he ranks in the top five of the Atlantic Sun Conference in batting average, doubles, hits and runs.

On the mound, Dempsey has a 3-2 record with a 3.56 ERA, has thrown two complete-game shutouts and has amassed 91 strikeouts to only 18 walks. He has allowed 27 runs on 49 hits and opposing hitters are only hitting .203 against him. His 91 strikeouts currently ranks seventh in the nation and his 1.02 WHIP ranks 29^th nationally with both marks leading the ASUN. He ranks in the top five of the ASUN in complete games, ERA, hits allowed per nine innings, strikeout-to-walk ratio, strikeouts, strikeouts per nine innings, WHIP and walks allowed per nine innings.

The award is named after former Washington State University standout John Olerud, who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s. He was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.

Headlining the watch list this year is the 2025 John Olerud Award winner from Florida Gulf Coast. Bryce Calloway and Max Knight, a 2025 finalist from Missouri State. Calloway, Knight, Josiah Overbeek, Ryan Kroepel, Jeremy Cheeseman, Jayce Dobie, TP Wentworth, Drew Nelson and Curry Sutherland have all won Olerud Award weekly honors during the 2026 season.

Previous winners of the award are Mike McGee, RHP/OF, Florida State, 2010; Danny Hultzen, LHP/1B/OF, Virginia, 2011; Brian Johnson, LHP/DH, Florida, 2012; Marco Gonzales, LHP/1B, Gonzaga, 2013; A.J. Reed, 1B/LHP, Kentucky, 2014; Brendan McKay, 1B/LHP, Louisville; 2015-17; Brooks Wilson, RHP/DH/1B, Stetson; 2018; Aaron Schunk, 3B/RHP, Georgia, 2019; Not Awarded (Season Suspended), 2020; Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP/SS, Nebraska, 2021; Paul Skenes, RHP/C, Air Force, 2022; Caden Grice, LHP/1B/DH, Clemson, 2023; Jac Caglianone, LHP/1B, Florida, 2024; and Evan Dempsey, OF/RHP, Florida Gulf Coast, 2025.

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

For more information on the John Olerud Award or any of the CBF awards, visit the College Baseball Foundation website at www.collegebaseballhall.org.
 
2026 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Semifinalists
Name, Positions, Class, School, Conference

• Kyle Alivo, IF/RHP, Sophomore, Iowa, Big Ten
• Jeremy Cheeseman, IF/RHP, Junior, Farleigh Dickinson, NEC
• Gio Colasante, IF/RHP, Senior, Harvard, Ivy League
• Evan Dempsey, OF/RHP, Junior, Florida Gulf Coast, ASUN
• Jayce Dobie, RHP/Util., Senior, Nevada, MWC
• Caylon Dygert, RHP/Util., Junior, UTA, WAC
• Max Knight, LHP/IF, Junior, Missouri State, CUSA
• Ryan Kroepel, RHP/Util, Junior, Utah Tech, WAC
• Jackson McKenzie, 1B/LHP, Junior, Florida A&M, SWAC
• Drew Nelson, LHP/Util., Senior, Troy, SBC
• Josiah Overbeek, RHP/1B, Freshman, Army, Patriot
• Jesse Rusinek, OF/LHP, Freshman, Texas Tech, Big 12
• Curry Sutherland, IF/RHP, Junior, Missouri State, CUSA
• Trey Swygart, RHP/IF, Sophomore, Portland, WCC
• T.P. Wentworth, OF/LHP, Sophomore, Oklahoma State, Big 12

 
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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.
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The CBF presents the Brooks Wallace Award (Nation's Most Outstanding Shortstop), the National Pitcher of the Year Award, the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, the Skip Bertman Coach of the Year Award, the George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence.
 
About the College Baseball Hall of Fame
Each year, more than 200 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, 175 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, Kansas in 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.