SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Coming off a season in which he hit .392 and was named All-SoCon First Team, VMI Baseball's Justin Starke has been selected as the 2024 Southern Conference Preseason Player of the Year as voted on by the coaches.

In total, VMI has five preseason honorees and was picked to finish seventh in the poll. Cole Garrett, Cole Jenkins and Trey Morgan join Starke on the First Team, while Ty Swaim was named to the preseason All-SoCon Second Team.

Starke becomes the first Keydet to be named Preseason Player of the Year. Josh Winder earned Preseason Pitcher of the Year honors back in 2018.

Justin Starke – Third Base – Redshirt Senior- First Team
Starke finished his redshirt junior season in the top 10 in nine different categories, ranking second in batting average and third in third in hits (82), runs scored (61) and total bases (140), checking in fourth in on-base percentage (.483). In SoCon action, Starke was even better, hitting .430 to go with a .535 slugging percentage. In the SoCon Tournament, Starke would add hit and run scored to finish the year with a .665 slugging percentage and .487 on-base percentage.

Cole Garrett – Catcher – Senior – First Team
Garrett was a mainstay for VMI, starting all 54 games for the Keydets while managing to bat .352 in his junior year. Garrett, a native of, totaled 17 doubles, 13 home runs, 53 runs scored and 53 RBI. Garrett fielded his position well, allowing just one passed ball and had just two errors in 2023.

Cole Jenkins – Outfield – Senior – First Team
SoCon play is where Jenkins truly shined, hitting .469 in 20 games, with his eight home runs, seven doubles, two triples and 31 RBI giving him a .901 slugging percentage against league opponents. In April, Jenkins became the first Keydet to be named Perfect Game/Rawlings National Player of the Week since Matt Pita in 2018. Jenkins' numbers on the year were strong as well, hitting .350 with 11 home runs, 50 RBI and 19 doubles.

Trey Morgan – Outfield – Redshirt Senior – First Team
Alongside Jenkins in the outfield, Morgan batted .345 in the regular season, registering 52 runs scored, 42 RBI and 26 steals, helping the Keydets record an NCAA best 192 steals in a single season. Morgan showcased his versatility throughout the year, posting a 2-2 record and recording two saves on the mound for VMI.

Ty Swaim – Second Base – Senior – Second Team
Swaim was a lynchpin to the Keydets' offensive success, ranking 15^th in the nation with 33 steals during the regular season, adding two more in the SoCon Tournament. With the majority of his at bats coming from the leadoff position, Swaim ended the season with a .348 average to go with a SoCon-best 20 doubles and 57 runs scored as a junior.

To view the SoCon release, click here.

2024 SoCon Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (First-Place Votes) Points

2024 SoCon Preseason Player of the Year
Justin Starke, Sr., VMI

 2024 SoCon Baseball Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Brooks Rice, Jr., Samford

2024 Preseason All-SoCon Baseball Team

First Team

2024 Preseason All-SoCon Baseball Team

Second Team