From the ballfields of Mason, Ohio, to the legendary limestone-clad diamonds of Bloomington, Jake Hanley has stormed into college baseball like a thunderclap in a quiet sky. And now? He’s making sure the Big Ten — and the nation — knows his name.
Indiana University’s towering 6-foot-6 first baseman, Jake Hanley, has officially been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year — a title that now sits next to a glittering stack of accolades he’s collected after a monstrous debut season. Oh, and he’s not done yet.
In fact, Hanley is rewriting the script for what a freshman season is supposed to look like.
Dominance in a Hoosier Jersey: A One-Man Wrecking Crew
Hanley didn’t just “contribute” this season — he took over. A literal and figurative giant on the field, the freshman phenom started all 54 regular season games, hammering 14 home runs, driving in 52 RBIs, and slashing a terrifying .338 batting average. And if that wasn’t enough to make pitchers across the conference lose sleep, consider this: he led all Big Ten freshmen in hits, homers, RBIs, and average. Every. Single. One.
“This wasn’t your average freshman campaign — this was a full-blown takeover,” said one rival coach anonymously. “He’s got major league tools, and he’s just getting warmed up.”
️ Defense That Defies Gravity
Sure, Hanley’s bat is a thunderous weapon, but his glove? Equally deadly. Since taking over duties at first base, he hasn’t committed a single error — not one — across more than 400 defensive opportunities. That almost supernatural defensive consistency earned him a rare honor: he’s the ONLY freshman in all of Division I baseball to be named a finalist for the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award.
Let that sink in. One freshman. One nation. One glove.
Winners for the prestigious Gold Glove team will be announced Wednesday, June 18, and you can bet that Jake’s name is being whispered in dugouts across the country.
Joining an Elite Hoosier Brotherhood
Hanley now becomes only the fourth Indiana player ever to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors — following in the footsteps of program legends like Alex Dickerson (2009), Sam Travis (2012), and teammate Devin Taylor (2023). Coincidentally (or perhaps fatefully?), Taylor was the last Hoosier to win the award, and under head coach Jeff Mercer, Indiana has now secured this coveted honor twice in just three seasons.
“Mercer’s program is becoming a factory for baseball royalty,” a Big Ten analyst noted. “And Jake Hanley might be its crown jewel.”
From MaxPreps to Big Ten Megastar: The Rise of a Juggernaut
Hanley’s explosion onto the college baseball scene wasn’t exactly out of nowhere. In 2024, he was a two-way terror at Mason High School — an all-state pitcher and first baseman who led his team to a state championship while earning a spot on the MaxPreps All-America Baseball Team. Oh, and he also nabbed MaxPreps Indiana Player of the Year honors for good measure.
It was clear then, and it’s even clearer now: Hanley was built for the big stage.
The Future Is Now: Can Hanley Fill Taylor’s Shoes?
With star outfielder Devin Taylor almost certainly bound for the 2025 MLB Draft, the pressure cooker is heating up in Bloomington. Taylor — arguably the most electrifying Hoosier baseball player in school history — leaves behind a massive legacy. One that only a select few could dare to replicate.
But Jake Hanley might just be one of them.
Armed with elite power, next-level poise, and a work ethic that screams “future pro,” Hanley is poised to become the centerpiece of Indiana Baseball’s next great chapter. Some insiders have even whispered he could go down as one of the best ever to wear the cream and crimson.
The Final Word: Jake Hanley Isn’t Just a Freshman — He’s a Movement
What Jake Hanley has accomplished in just one season is nothing short of extraordinary. With an explosive bat, a glove of gold, and the moxie of a seasoned veteran, he’s already carved his name into Hoosier lore.
And the scary part?
He hasn’t even scratched the surface.
