Top Catchers Nationally Recognized…
A total of 43 catchers have been named to the 2012 Johnny Bench Award watch list. The annual award, presented annually by the Greater Wichita Sports Commission, is to honor those athletes who serve as a team’s starting catcher in at least 75% of the games. Nominees that end up playing primarily another position, such as designated hitter, or those that split their time with another catcher in a 50/50 situation will be disqualified from semifinalist selection. Although the Greater Wichita Sports Commission acknowledges the talent of those athletes, it does not fall in line with their guidelines and they will not proceed in the voting process.
2012 Johnny Bench Award Watch Lists (Listed Alphabetically)
Milan Adams – SR University of Rhode Island
Will Allen – SO University of Mississippi
Bo Altobelli – JR Texas Tech University
Jimmy Best – SR George Washington University
Garrett Custons – JR United States Air Force Academy
Toby DeMello – SR Saint Mary’s College
Jeremy Dowdy – SR Appalachian State University
Josh Elander – JR Texas Christian University
Carlos Escobar – JR University of Nevada
Jacob Fisher – SR Southeastern Louisiana University
Zachary Fisher – JR New Mexico State University
Chris Forsten – SR The College of William and Mary
Brett Frantini – SR Northern Illinois University
Richard Gonzalez – FR Alabama State University
John Hale – SR Sam Houston State University
Jonathan Harris – JR Gardner-Webb University
Chris Hoo – SO Cal Poly
Joe Hudson – JR University of Notre Dame
Tyler Jones – SR Long Island University
Spencer Kieboom – JR Clemson University
Dan Klein – SR Kansas State University
Thor Meeks – SR Marshall University
Brad Moss – SR Samford University
Tom Murphy – JR University at Buffalo
Peter O’Brien – SR University of Miami
Joe Pavone – SR University of Connecticut
Colton Plaia – JR Loyola Marymount University
Kevin Plaweck – JR Purdue University
David Roney – SR Wofford College
Tyler Ross – SO Louisiana State University
Jake Saylor – SR University of Cincinnati
Jeremy Schaffer – SR Tulane University
Ron Shaeffer – SR UC Irvine
Dan Sheppard – JR University of Iowa
Jacob Stallings – SR University of North Carolina
Andrew Stumph – JR Texas State University
Alex Swim – JR Elon University
Steve Tkowski – SR College of the Holy Cross
Luke Voit – JR Missouri State University
J.T. Watkins – SR United States Military Academy (Army)
Matt Wollenzin – SO Austin Peay State University
Zach Wright – SR East Carolina University
Mike Zunino – JR University of Florida