There wasn't a whole lot of things for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to cheer for on the diamond last season, as they were eliminated early in the NCAA Tournament, losing to the in-state rival Georgia Bulldogs 8-6 in extra innings, but one bright spot that the team had was a freshman by the name of Drew Burress.
After a phenomenal rookie season that seen Burress put together one of the best freshman seasons in Yellow Jacket history, which included him being just the 12th Yellow Jacket to win the Triple Crown for the team, as he lead all players on the team in batting average (.381), home runs (25), and RBIs (67), Burress won the 2024 National Freshman of the Year by Perfect Game. So it would make perfect sense for Burress to enter this season as the No.1 rated sophomore in college baseball by Perfect Game.
Burress was one of two players that played in all 58 games for the Yellow Jackets last season, joined by utility player Cam Jones. The Houston, Georgia county native broke the Yellow Jackets freshman record for home runs in a season, with 25, and fell just one home run shy of the overall team record. Burress finished the season with 15 doubles and three triples, both of which led the team last season.
While the Yellow Jackets will go through a lot of changes at the beginning of the season, having a young star like Burress that can show consistency and become a possible leader, could lead the Yellow Jackets to a strong campaign in 2025.