University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH
Glauber ACC Freshman Of The Year, Eight Tar Heels Earn All-ACC Honors
May 18, 2026 | Baseball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Standout newcomer Caden Glauber has been named the ACC Freshman of the Year, highlighting eight total Tar Heels to earn spots on the 2026 All-ACC teams.
Â
Glauber, who should still be a senior in high school, has been an absolute star out of the bullpen for North Carolina this season. He owns the conference's best ERA (1.96), the third best in the entire country, while sitting top-2 in the ACC in opposing batting average (.180, 2nd), slugging percentage (.253, 2nd), and BABIP (.245, 1st). He is 8-0 on the season, most wins without defeat in the conference.
Â
He is the eighth Diamond Heel player and just the second pitcher to earn the Freshman of the Year distinction since its inception in 1991. Aaron Sabato most recently won it as a DH in 2019 and future big leaguer Daniel Bard claimed the award as a pitcher in 2004.
Â
Joining him on the All-ACC First Team are Jason DeCaro, Owen Hull, and Jake Schaffner. Fellow bullpen dynamo Walker McDuffie made the second team with Gavin Gallaher, Ryan Lynch, and Macon Winslow were included on the third team. Glauber also obviously headlined this year's All Freshman Team.
Â
The eight total honorees were the most of any program and the second most in a single season in Carolina's history. Only the 2024 team had more with 11.
Â
The Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist DeCaro has been sensational as part of the elite Carolina Arm Barn in 2026. His 2.03 ERA is 5th best in the country and second in the ACC only behind Glauber.
Â
Hull and Schaffner have been the dynamic one-two punch powering UNC's offense. Hull was third in the ACC in conference-only games with a .423 average with Schaffner not far behind him in sixth at .374. The pair have combined for 116 runs scored, 104 RBIs, 35 doubles, and 12 home runs so far this season.
Â
McDuffie has been an elite level running mate with Glauber out of the Carolina bullpen. He has logged the 5th best ACC ERA (2.86) that drops down to second best (behind Glauber) in conference only games at 2.12.
Â
Co-captain Gallaher is a threat at all times in the Heels' lineup, launching 11 home runs this year with eight either tying the game or putting his team ahead. His roommate and longtime friend Winslow has quickly settled into the better blue at Carolina, hitting .307 at the plate while only allowing 10 stolen bases. The big righty Lynch has been shutdown in his 13 starts in 2026, recording a 4.32 ERA with 68 strikeouts.
Â
North Carolina ACC Award Winners
Freshman of the Year: Caden Glauber
Â
All-ACC
First Team
Jason DeCaro, SP
Caden Glauber, RP
Owen Hull, OF
Jake Schaffner, SS
Â
Second Team
Walker McDuffie, RP
Â
Third Team
Gavin Gallaher, 2B
Ryan Lynch, SP
Macon Winslow, C
Â
Freshman Team
Caden Glauber, RP
Â
Â
Glauber, who should still be a senior in high school, has been an absolute star out of the bullpen for North Carolina this season. He owns the conference's best ERA (1.96), the third best in the entire country, while sitting top-2 in the ACC in opposing batting average (.180, 2nd), slugging percentage (.253, 2nd), and BABIP (.245, 1st). He is 8-0 on the season, most wins without defeat in the conference.
Â
He is the eighth Diamond Heel player and just the second pitcher to earn the Freshman of the Year distinction since its inception in 1991. Aaron Sabato most recently won it as a DH in 2019 and future big leaguer Daniel Bard claimed the award as a pitcher in 2004.
Â
Joining him on the All-ACC First Team are Jason DeCaro, Owen Hull, and Jake Schaffner. Fellow bullpen dynamo Walker McDuffie made the second team with Gavin Gallaher, Ryan Lynch, and Macon Winslow were included on the third team. Glauber also obviously headlined this year's All Freshman Team.
Â
The eight total honorees were the most of any program and the second most in a single season in Carolina's history. Only the 2024 team had more with 11.
Â
The Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist DeCaro has been sensational as part of the elite Carolina Arm Barn in 2026. His 2.03 ERA is 5th best in the country and second in the ACC only behind Glauber.
Â
Hull and Schaffner have been the dynamic one-two punch powering UNC's offense. Hull was third in the ACC in conference-only games with a .423 average with Schaffner not far behind him in sixth at .374. The pair have combined for 116 runs scored, 104 RBIs, 35 doubles, and 12 home runs so far this season.
Â
McDuffie has been an elite level running mate with Glauber out of the Carolina bullpen. He has logged the 5th best ACC ERA (2.86) that drops down to second best (behind Glauber) in conference only games at 2.12.
Â
Co-captain Gallaher is a threat at all times in the Heels' lineup, launching 11 home runs this year with eight either tying the game or putting his team ahead. His roommate and longtime friend Winslow has quickly settled into the better blue at Carolina, hitting .307 at the plate while only allowing 10 stolen bases. The big righty Lynch has been shutdown in his 13 starts in 2026, recording a 4.32 ERA with 68 strikeouts.
Â
North Carolina ACC Award Winners
Freshman of the Year: Caden Glauber
Â
All-ACC
First Team
Jason DeCaro, SP
Caden Glauber, RP
Owen Hull, OF
Jake Schaffner, SS
Â
Second Team
Walker McDuffie, RP
Â
Third Team
Gavin Gallaher, 2B
Ryan Lynch, SP
Macon Winslow, C
Â
Freshman Team
Caden Glauber, RP
Â
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
C
/ BaseballUNC Baseball: Offense Powers Tar Heels to Series Win vs Wolfpack, 17-7
Saturday, May 16
BASE: Offense Powers Tar Heels to Series Win vs Wolfpack, 17-7
Friday, May 15
UNC Baseball: Diamond Heels Win Battle at NC State in Series Opener, 9-4
Friday, May 15
BASE: Diamond Heels Win Battle at NC State in Series Opener, 9-4
Friday, May 15