UNC baseball’s Jake Knapp continues to rack up accolades, as the starting pitcher was one of five collegiate pitchers tabbed as finalists for the National Pitcher of the Year award from the College Baseball Foundation.

The Greensboro native earned a spot on the list alongside Baylor’s Gabe Craig, Coastal Carolina’s Jacob Morrison, Texas’ Dylan Volantis and Zane Taylor of UNC-Wilmington — where Knapp began his college experience before transferring.

The honor comes after Knapp was named ACC Pitcher of the Year on May 19, the UNC program’s fifth player to earn the award, and comes in a dominant season. After missing the entire 2024 season from an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, the right-hander holds a 13-0 record and the Diamond Heels have won every game in which he’s pitched. Knapp led the ACC in earned run average and innings pitched — with his longevity in games becoming a signature quality in 2025 — and he has struck out 85 batters while walking just 16.

Three of those walks came in his 119-pitch effort in the regional-opening matchup against Holy Cross, where the starter also pitched 8 1/3 innings and seven strikeouts. UNC won 4-0 and advanced to the super regional round, where Knapp is again expected to be in action against Arizona this weekend. The Diamond Heels’ first game vs. the Wildcats is set for Friday at 12 p.m. While Knapp has not been announced as the starting pitcher, he has consistently served as the Friday starter this season.

The winner of the 2025 National Pitcher of the Year Award will be unveiled by the College Baseball Hall of Fame on Friday, June 13. If Knapp earns the honor, he will become the first UNC pitcher to do so since the award began in 2009.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

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