Top 5 players who could win 2024 Dick Howser Trophy

The National College Baseball Writers Association announced the semifinalists for the 2024 Dick Howser Trophy on Thursday. That said, the NCBWA announced a total of 68 semifinalists for the award. It honors the top college baseball player in the nation. From the field of 68 semifinalists, here are five players who possibly have the best shot at claiming the Dick Howser Trophy.

Top 5 players who could win 2024 Dick Howser Trophy

If Jac Caglianone can get the Florida Gators rolling, he could win the 2024 Howser Trophy.

#5. Jac Caglianone, Florida

The issue that Caglianone will face is Florida's mediocre performance this season. The Gators will probably make the NCAA Tournament field, but they don't seem likely to make a deep run, much less to reach Omaha. Without that kind of finish, Caglianone will have trouble winning the award.

Otherwise, his particular brand of dual-threat glory would be plausible. At the plate, Caglianone is hitting .418 with 28 home runs against only 18 strikeouts. On the mound, the lefty is 5-1 with a 4.07 ERA. If UF can right the ship after a troubled season, Caglanone's productions land him squarely in the middle of the Howser Trophy conversation.

#4. Christian Moore, Tennessee

On the other hand, the Vols are the nation's No. 1 team, which gives Moore a leg up on the competition. That said, Tennessee isn't a team with one superhuman performer. The Vols are a squad of excellent players, and Moore is probably the best. But his statistical case won't quite measure up with the other top players.

Moore is leading the Vols with a .377 average, 24 homers and 57 RBIs. He's been a big game player and gives UT reason to hope for a College World Series title. The award will be presented before the actual Series, but if Moore gets the Vols there with a chance, he's in the Howser conversation.

#3. Travis Bazzana, Oregon State

Bazzana might be the most complete player in college baseball. The lefty-hitting second baseman is hitting .424 with 26 homers and 60 RBIs. Bazzana takes walks well too, with 66 free passes on the season against just 28 strikeouts. He's also an excellent baserunner, with 14 stolen bases to his credit.

Can Oregon State reach Omaha? If they do, Bazzana certainly has a shot at the Howser Award. He is one of the top players in the nation, but it's worth wondering if OSU will put together enough of a showing to validate Bazzana's candidacy.

#2. Charlie Condon, Georgia

Condon was probably the best overall player in baseball and his Bulldogs are hitting their stride at just the right time. Condon has mashed opposition pitching to a .454 batting average and 34 home runs. For much of the season, Georgia was a middle-of-the-pack SEC team.

But with a late winning streak, the Bulldogs have leaped into the regional hosting conversation. Again, the Howser Award is presented before the College World Series, so Condon doesn't have to win a title with Georgia. He probably does need to help the Bulldogs get Omaha to have a viable shot at the award.

#1. Hagen Smith, Arkansas

There's plenty of outstanding hitting in college baseball. But there aren't many pitchers quite like Arkansas lefty Hagen Smith. Smith is 9-0 on the season with a 1.65 ERA. Smith has whiffed 136 hitters in 71 innings and has held opposing batters to just a .138 batting average. Smith leads the nation in ERA and is third in strikeouts.

Moreover, Arkansas has an excellent shot, led by Smith, at a spot in Omaha. If Smith can continue his dominance and help the Hogs win a super-regional matchup, he's got a big shot at the Howser Trophy. LSU's Paul Skenes won it a year ago as a pitcher, so Smith could make it back-to-back hurlers.

Which player do you think will win the 2024 Dick Howser Trophy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below