Junior Connor O'Brien of the Bradley baseball team was recognized as one of the nation's top first baseman on Thursday, placing among the top 20 in D1 Baseball's rankings.
Of nearly 300 schools to select from, O'Brien ranked 17th on the publication's power rankings. A preseason All-Valley selection, O'Brien hit .366 during the 2021 campaign with four home runs and 26 RBI. He was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team – becoming the first Brave to receive first-team accolades twice since Greg Partyka in 2013 and 2014 and the first position player since Darren Epley in 1987 and 1988.