Georgia Tech's Drew Burress was recognized by D1Baseball as their 2018 Freshman of the Year*

Awards For 2018 Achievement
Joe Healy – July 5, 2024
When watching Drew Burress play baseball it is clear his energy can not only fill an arena but fill any available gap at center field seamlessly while showing off his arm strength quickly as well as using high torque setup in the batter’s box that puts his tremendous bat speed to full display.
That serves as both an introduction and list of his accomplishments that enabled him to quickly make an impressionful debut at Georgia Tech and win D1Baseball’s Freshman of the Year award in 2024.
Burress’ energy can also be felt off of the field. While being interviewed at Collegiate National Team camp in Cary, North Carolina, Burress fidgeted aimlessly with his glove; tightening strings that weren’t necessary and working its leather. When discussing any topic relating to hitting, his speaking speed increased exponentially just like on game day.
At first, it almost looks as if one could see potential energy coursing through his body, just waiting to be transformed into kinetic energy on the field or batter’s box.
Georgia Tech gave him ample opportunity to show it during the spring.
He posted an impressive batting line of.381/.512/.821, with 15 doubles, 25 home runs and 67 RBIs as he recorded far more walks (58) than strikeouts (37) all while appearing in every game and collecting 10 outfield assists during this campaign.
Burress acknowledged, “I knew I needed to work hard knowing I would need to keep pace with some 23-24-year-old players – both mentally and physically,” according to Burress. He credits Coach James Ramsey in particular with helping his player improve mentally while getting their swing in line – including himself helping. Those efforts carried over into Burress’ season.
Drew Burress Is Inhuman! TIE GAME!! 25TH OF THE YEAR @drew_burress08 | @accnetwork pic.twitter.com/HwqGpUanu7– Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) June 2, 2024
Ramsey plays an instrumental role in Burress’ first year journey at Georgia Tech. Not only does Georgia Tech’s recruiting coordinator serve as his conduit to recruiting the talented Burress, they share similar characteristics – both are undersized Georgia natives who played in the ACC while exhibiting tremendous hitting ability.
Ramsey has provided his young protege with instruction that has greatly resonated.
“I thought I knew a fair amount about hitting when I came in, but what Coach Ramsey preached really helped,” Burress stated.
Burress never struggled with hitting during his freshman campaign. On Opening Day against Radford he hit two homeruns; three more would follow over that first series; then on February 27 against Georgia State he hit four homers at once! Additionally he batted an outstanding.377/.514/.693 average against conference competition during ACC games alone!
Hearing him tell it, dealing with mid-90s velocity and nasty breaking balls wasn’t his biggest adjustment; rather it was adapting defensively that required his consideration.
“For me it was being in center field while some of these guys ran bases,” Burress noted, regarding one of his biggest adjustments in fall baseball. Whenever there was someone on second base when an outfield throw came his way from Burress in center, Burress would often throw it home instead of to where it should have gone; these guys can move fast enough that you may not even have time to react before throwing home; that was one of my biggest adjustments; my main issue during fall season was throwing balls to incorrect bases a lot of the time; all players know how to run bases no matter their speed nor overall capabilities; even those not considered speedsters knew exactly where each base should have gone when hit them; that made adjustment one major hurdle that Burress faced during fall baseball games: center field position with many fast runners running bases as center fielder could always play centerfield; as opposed to his or her usual position of being either fielder or batters could run them all the bases once caught.”
SCHOOL RECORD!!! @drew_burress08 HITS HIS FOURTH HOME RUN OF THE GAME!! #WreckHavocxStingEm pic.twitter.com/qzZfFdp8en — Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) February 27
Burress shows signs that he’s an enthusiastic baseball player from day one of summer, playing Yarmouth-Dennis in Cape Cod League before transitioning into CNT for three days before heading back up north again for more baseball action. This bodes well for his future development.
Opting to play on Cape Cod and for the CNT is certainly not an arduous way to spend summer, yet many players such as him opt out after donning stars and stripes rather than returning back into regular summer league action.
“Baseball is all about competition,” Burress stated. “I have loved competing against some international competition as well as some of the finest players from across America.
Burress will take on a different role this season – not necessarily on the field where he’ll once more occupy center field and hit in the middle of the order, but within both dugout and clubhouse.
Burress made headlines as an underclass freshman superstar during his rookie campaign of 2024 with an otherwise aged team, featuring graduate transfer players with extensive at-bats dotted throughout its roster and providing natural leadership structures.
“Last season was tough; with many grad transfers joining our lineup and old veterans such as me staying behind,” Burress stated. “This season will have a very different feel; our young group of guys are going out there every day determined to show they have what it takes and outwit all opponents; just telling each one: ‘hey we are outplaying you today – let’s play harder!” I believe this approach will take us one step further in 2025.”