After winning the Big Ten Tournament this past season, Nebraska baseball has a ton of momentum leading into 2025, being ranked No. 24 in the preseason Top 25. They finished 2024 with a 40-22 record. The Big Red will strive to return to the College World Series for the first time since 2005.
Here are the players that should lead the way:
On the mound
Junior right-handed pitcher Mason McConaughey is poised to be the leader on the mound. He had a 9-3 record with a 3.45 ERA. McConaughey was Second-Team All-Big Ten in 2024. It’s time for him to take the next step to fill the void after losing stellar pitchers Brett Sears and Rans Sanders.
Senior left-handed pitcher Jackson Brockett has been a solid pitcher during his Husker career. He had a 4.91 ERA this past season and threw a no-hitter against Kansas State. The biggest problem Brockett faces is consistency. He must cut down his ERA to solidify himself as one of Nebraska’s top pitchers in 2025.
Other pitchers that should contribute include right-handed senior Drew Christo and right-handed sophomores Tucker Timmerman and Ty Horn. Along with Brockett, it will be paramount that Christo trims down his 4.62 ERA from 2024. Timmerman and Horn will take the next step on the mound if they were developed correctly. Horn has all the tools to be great, as he can throw in the mid-90s.
In the infield
Senior infielder Rhett Stokes is poised to be one of NU’s top players not only in the infield but also inside the batter’s box. Stokes had a .360 batting average, one home run, 18 RBIs and six stolen bases in 2024. He was pretty consistent with his .966 fielding percentage covering second base.
Junior infielder Dylan Carey is expected to contribute at the plate. Carey finished last season with a .255 batting average, seven home runs and 31 RBIs. His main problem is his strikeout rate. In 61 games last season, he had a whopping 63 strikeouts. It will be intriguing to see if Carey still swings for the fences or starts to focus on making more contact.
In the outfield
Senior outfielder Gabe Swansen has had quite the career for the Big Red. He was Second-Team All-Big Ten in 2023, and on both Big Ten All-Tournament and All-Stillwater Regional Teams in 2024. Swansen has accumulated 27 home runs and 85 RBIs as a Husker. Anticipate Swansen being in the heart of the batting order.
Barton County junior college transfer Robby Bolin might just be the best newcomer on the team. In 2024, Bolin was one of only 24 junior college baseball players selected for the USA NJCAA All-Star Team. He was a Gold Glove recipient and had a .566 on-base percentage at the JUCO level.
South Dakota State transfer Cael Frost could prove to be even better than Bolin. Frost was the Summit League Player of the Year for the Jackrabbits last year. His .343 average and .742 slugging percentage makes a hitting coach drool. If his 21 home runs from 2024 can translate to Haymarket Park, 2025 is going to be a fun ride for the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska will open its season on February 14th, against UC Irvine, in Scottdale, Arizona.
