Troy University Athletics
Troy’s Drew Nelson Named to John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Watch List
3/4/2026 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. - Troy senior Drew Nelson was named to the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Watch List on Wednesday.
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.
"Drew is an extremely talented kid, and being named to this prestigious watch list is a worthy honor," Troy head coach Skylar Meade said. "Playing every day, he has been dynamic, and him starting to get back to pitching - as he has always done in the past - will only add to his major value to the Trojans this season."
Nelson, a Troy native, has emerged as a breakout force in the Trojan lineup this season after spending his first three collegiate campaigns primarily on the mound. While playing in the corner outfield, Nelson is hitting .302 with a team-best five doubles. He hit his first career homer in Troy's win at No. 8 Georgia and has knocked in seven RBIs.
The lefty hasn't made his 2026 debut on the mound yet, but was a key piece of the Troy pitching staff in 2025 after transferring from Auburn, making ten appearances and eight starts. On the season, Nelson went 3-1, highlighted by dominant starts against Penn and USC Upstate, where he pitched 6.0 innings with one run in both games.
Nelson and the Trojans return to action at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Vanderbilt. Troy returns to Riddle-Pace Field this weekend for a three-game series with Maryland.
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.
"Drew is an extremely talented kid, and being named to this prestigious watch list is a worthy honor," Troy head coach Skylar Meade said. "Playing every day, he has been dynamic, and him starting to get back to pitching - as he has always done in the past - will only add to his major value to the Trojans this season."
Nelson, a Troy native, has emerged as a breakout force in the Trojan lineup this season after spending his first three collegiate campaigns primarily on the mound. While playing in the corner outfield, Nelson is hitting .302 with a team-best five doubles. He hit his first career homer in Troy's win at No. 8 Georgia and has knocked in seven RBIs.
The lefty hasn't made his 2026 debut on the mound yet, but was a key piece of the Troy pitching staff in 2025 after transferring from Auburn, making ten appearances and eight starts. On the season, Nelson went 3-1, highlighted by dominant starts against Penn and USC Upstate, where he pitched 6.0 innings with one run in both games.
Nelson and the Trojans return to action at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Vanderbilt. Troy returns to Riddle-Pace Field this weekend for a three-game series with Maryland.
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