Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award

Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Winner

Wichita, KS – The Wichita Sports Commission tonight during the 2024 Greater Wichita Sports Banquet announced Walker Janek of Sam Houston State University as the winner of the 2024 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. Janek, Jacob Cozart, & Ryan Stafford were the three finalists for this years award. A selection committee made up of Division I Baseball Coaches, Sports Information Directors and Major League Scouts selected these three outstanding catchers from a list of 16 semifinalists announced on May 22.

These three catchers were invited to Wichita, KS to meet Buster Posey, take part in the Just Block Catcher’s Clinic a camp for young catchers in the Wichita area, go on a visit to Wesley Children’s Hospital with Buster, and finally be acknowledged for their accomplishments this season at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet.

Buster Posey Award Finalists
Jacob Cozart, Jr. North Carolina State – Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) First Team
Walker Janek, Jr. Sam Houston – Conference USA (CUSA) Defensive Player of the Year
Ryan Stafford, Jr. Cal Poly – Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Year

2024 Buster Posey Finalist Stats

About the Wichita Sports Commission

The Wichita Sports Commission is a facilitator, driving the collaborative efforts of the region in attracting and hosting a wide variety of local, regional, and national sporting events at the youth, amateur, and professional level. Since 1997, the Wichita Sports Commission has facilitated nearly 700 events in the Wichita area with a combined economic impact of over $600 million. The Sports Commission also owns and operates six community annual events, including the: Prairie Fire Race Series, NBC Baseball Foundation and World Series, Greater Wichita Sports Banquet featuring the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, Wichita Corporate Challenge and the annual Wichita Turkey Trot. The Sports Commission provides the experience and expertise in sports marketing and event management that has established our region.

Buster Posey Award’s “Just Block It” Catchers’ Clinic sponsored by rawlings

These camps teach the skills necessary to be a good catcher at all levels – from little league to high school, or the collegiate level. The camp uses a step by step approach to prepare baseball/softball players mentally and physically for the big game! Buster Posey Award “Just Block It” Catchers’ Camp sponsored by Rawlings June 26th, 2024 Gates Open (8:15 a.m.) Camp Time (9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) WSU Eck Stadium 4100 E. 21st Wichita, KS 67208

Register Here

2024 Semifinalists & Winner
Walker Janek, Sam houston state university
2024 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the year award
The Wichita Sports Commission announced the 16 semifinalists for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award They are (In alphabetical order, 3 finalists in bold):
Ethan Anderson, Junior, Virginia
Ariel Armas, Junior, San Diego
Burke Camper, Senior, Utah Valley
Ryan Campos, Junior, Arizona State
Josh Caron, Junior, Nebraska
Connor Caskenette, Senior, Purdue
Jacob Cozart, Junior, NC State
Mac Guscette, Senior, Alabama
Brandon Heidal, Senior, Oakland
Ike Irish, Sophomore, Auburn
Walker Janek, Junior, Sam Houston
Caleb Lomavita, Junior, California
Cole Messina, Senior, South Carolina
Malcolm Moore, Sophomore, Stanford
Ryan Stafford, Junior, Cal Poly
Alex Stone, Senior, Duke
2024 Watch List (In alphabetical order)
Parker Airhart, Junior, Texas Arlington
Ethan Anderson, Junior, Virginia
Ariel Armas, Junior, San Diego
Nicholas Badillo, Sophomore, Winthrop
Jackson Bessette, Sophomore, Illinois-Chicago
Canyon Brown, Junior, North Carolina A&T
Devin Burkes, Junior, Kentucky
Burke Camper, Senior, Utah Valley
Ryan Campos, Junior, Arizona State
Owen Carapellotti, Junior, Georgetown
Josh Caron, Junior, Nebraska
Connor Caskenette, Senior, Purdue
Tyler Cotten, Junior, Saint Peter’s
Jacob Cozart, Junior, NC State
Will Cresswell, Junior, Washington State
Jackson DeJohn, Senior, St. Bonaventure
Matt Deprey, Senior, Xavier
Hunter Dobbins, Junior, Ball State
Hank Dodson, Senior, Utah Tech
Dallas Duarte, Senior, Hawaii
Matthew Ellis, Senior, Georgia Tech
Nic Ericsson, Senior, VCU
Alan Espinal, Senior, Vanderbilt
Jonathan French, Senior, Houston
Jacob Friend, Junior, Davidson
Jacob Galloway, Sophomore, USC
Manny Garza, Junior, Rice
Michael Goudeau, Senior, Texas Southern
JD Gregson, Junior, Incarnate Word
Mac Guscette, Senior, Alabama
Brandon Heidal, Senior, Oakland
Tyler Herron, Junior Illinois State
McGwire Holbrook, Senior, Florida State
Jackson Hugus, Junior, Presbyterian College
Ike Irish, Sophomore, Auburn
Walker Janek, Junior, Sam Houston
Jimmy Keenan, Sophomore, St. John’s
Ethan Krizen, Senior, Murray State
Steven Lancia, Junior, Texas Rio Grande Valley
Grant Lashure, Senior, Eastern Illinois
Caleb Lomavita, Junior, California
Luke Longo, Grad. Student, NJIT
Travis Lott, Grad. Student, The Citadel
Bear Madliak, Sophomore, Jacksonville State
Grant Magill, Senior, Indiana State
Matt Maloney, Junior, Penn State
Tommy McAndrews, Sophomore, Fordham
David Melfi, Grad. Student, Wagner College
Cole Messina, Junior, South Carolina
Joaquin Monque, Senior, South Florida
Malcolm Moore, Sophomore, Stanford
Jacob Morrow, Senior, Washington State
Raphael Pelletier, Junior, Kansas State
Zack Ramppen, Sophomore, San Francisco
Logan Sauve, Sophomore, West Virginia
Jason Schiavone, Junior, James Madison
Brian Skettini, Senior, Rider
Tanner Smith, Junior, Oregon State
Campbell Smithwick, Freshman, Ole Miss
Ryan Stafford, Junior, Cal Poly
Ben Steck, Senior, Santa Clara
Alex Stone, Senior, Duke
Bennett Thompson, Junior, Oregon
Jose Torres, Junior, Louisiana
Humberto Torres, Senior, Gardner-Webb
Anthony Tulimero, Senior, Houston
Matthew Ward, Grad. Student, Niagara
Nolan Watson, Grad. Student, Dayton
Jake Wright, Senior, Little Rock
2023 Semifinalists & Winner
Kyle Teel, Virginia

2023 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award
Semifinalists Announced (Updated On May 22, 2023)
The Wichita Sports Commission announced the thirteen semifinalists for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. They are (in alphabetical order):
Julian Brock, JR Louisiana
Bryan Broecker, SO Michigan State
Connor Burns, JR Long Beach State
Ryan Campos, SO Arizona State
Weston Eberly, SR Columbia
Calvin Harris, JR Ole Miss
Travis Lott, JR The Citadel
David Melfi, SR Wagner
Jack Payton, JR Louisville
Luke Shliger, JR Maryland
Alex Smith, SR US Naval Academy
Ryan Snell, SR Lamar
Kyle Teel, JR Virginia
2023 Watch List (in alphabetical order)
Diego Altamirano, JR South Alabama
Cole Andrews, SR Ohio State
Jackson Appel, SR Pennsylvania
Tate Ballestero, SR St. John’s
Blake Barton, SO Belmont
Derek Berg, JR Army West Point
Gray Betts, SR Liberty
Caden Bodine, FR Coastal Carolina
Julian Brock, JR Louisiana
Bryan Broecker, SO Michigan State
Kevin Bruggeman, SR Hofstra
Devin Burkes, SO Kentucky
Connor Burns, JR Long Beach State
Peter Burns, GR Boston College
Michael Campagna, SR San Francisco
Burke Camper, JR Utah Valley
Ryan Campos, SO Arizona State
Michael Carico, JR Davidson
Owen Carapellotti, SO Georgetown
Josh Caron, SO Nebraska
John Cristino, SR Towson
Jacob Cozart, SO NC State
Tyler Davis, JR Fresno State
Jackson DeJohn, JR St. Bonaventure
Matt DePrey, JR Xavier
Dallas Duarte, SR Hawai’i
Weston Eberly, SR Columbia
Matthew Ellis, SR Indiana
Cole Elvis, SR Kansas
Tomas Frick, JR North Carolina
Andrew Gonzales, JR McNeese State
Fernando Gonzalez, JR Georgia
Luke Hancock, SR Mississippi State
Calvin Harris, JR Ole Miss
Nick Hassan, JR Kennesaw State
Brandon Heidal, JR Oakland
McGwire Holbrook, JR Florida State
Jake Holland, JR New Mexico
Ty Hooks, SR Winthrop
Henry Hunter, SO UAB
Cooper Ingle, JR Clemson
Walker Janek, SO Sam Houston State
Ryan Johnson, SR Pepperdine
Adam Juran, JR Western Illinois
Cody Kelly, JR Missouri State
Josh Killeen, SR UTSA
Will King, JR Eastern Kentucky
Nich Klemp, GR Portland
Tony Krueger, SR UMBC
Nate LaRue, SR Auburn
Bennett Lee, JR Wake Forest
Dayne Leonard, SR West Virginia
Caleb Lomavita, SO UC Berkeley
Luke Longo, SR NJIT
Travis Lott, JR The Citadel
JT Marr, SR College of Charleston
Ben McCabe, R-SR Central Florida
Ryan McCrystal, SO East Carolina
David Melfi, SR Wagner
Cole Messina, SO South Carolina
Malcolm Moore, FR Stanford
Gustavo Nava Sanchez, SR Southern
Aaron Parker, SO UC Santa Barbara
Shane Paradine, SR Stony Brook
Jack Payton, JR Louisville
Raphael Pelletier, SO Kansas State
Ryan Proto, JR UMass Lowell
Nelson Rivera, JR South Florida
Julian Rojas, SR Radford
Eduardo Rosario, SR Nebraska-Omaha
Jack Rubenstein, SR Georgia Tech
Poncho Ruiz, JR San Diego State
Angel Saldivar, JR Cal State Bakersfield
Jason Schiavone, SO James Madison
Luke Shliger, JR Maryland
Alex Smith, SR US Naval Academy
Ryan Snell, SR Lamar
Ryan Stafford, SO Cal Poly
Alex Stone, JR Duke
Evin Sullivan, SO Binghamton
Blake Sutton, R-JR High Point
Graysen Tarlow, R-SO CSUN
Kyle Teel, JR Virginia
Jared Thomas, SR LMU
Anthony Tulimero, JR Houston
Tanner Tweedt, SR Abilene Christian
Nathan Waugh, JR Cornell
Jake Wright, SR Arkansas-Little Rock
Hernan Yanez, SR Incarnate Word
2022 Semifinalists & Winner
Kevin Parada, Georgia Tech

2022 Buster posey national collegiate catcher of the year award
The Wichita Sports Commission announced the sixteen semifinalists for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. They are (in alphabetical order, 3 finalists in bold):
Jack Alexander, Senior, Austin Peay
Michael Carico, Sophomore, Davidson
Connor Charping, Senior, Western Michigan
Kaden Hollow, Sophomore, Dixie State
Cade Hunter, Sophomore, Virginia Tech
Andrew Keck, Junior, Southeast Missouri State
JT Marr, Junior, College of Charleston
Zach Morgan, Junior, Fresno State
Kevin Parada, Sophomore, Georgia Tech
Caleb Ricketts, Junior, San Diego
BT Riopelle, Junior, Florida
Daniel Susac, Sophomore, Arizona
Logan Tanner, Sophomore, Mississippi State
Brendan Tinsman, Junior, Wake Forest
Anthony Tulimero, Sophomore, Houston
Michael Turner, Senior, Arkansas
2022 Watch List (in alphabetical order)
Colin Adams, Grad. Student, Long Island
Jack Alexander, Senior, Austin Peay
Cole Andrews, Senior, Miami (OH)
Silas Ardoin, Redshirt Sophomore, Texas
Gray Betts, Junior, Liberty
Thomas Bramley, Senior, Mount St. Mary’s
Colin Burgess, Junior, South Carolina
Connor Burns, Sophomore, Long Beach State
Peter Burns, Senior, Boston College
Ross Cadena, Senior, Wichita State
Michael Campagna, Sophomore, San Francisco
Jackson Campbell, Senior, Belmont
Michael Carico, Sophomore, Davidson
Mike Caruso, Senior, Fairfield
Cam Cerruto, Senior, Army West Point
Connor Charping, Senior, Western Michigan
Troy Claunch, Senior, Texas A&M
Jorge Corona, Sophomore, Louisiana Tech
Andrew Cossetti, Senior, Saint Joseph’s
Alex Crump, Senior, Murray State
Angelo D’Acunto, Senior, Holy Cross
Adam Dapkewicz, Junior, Georgetown
Sammy Diaz, Junior, UTSA
Mitchell Dickson, Junior, Abilene Christian
Matt Donlan, Redshirt Junior, UConn
Hayden Dunhurst, Junior, Ole Miss
Matthew Ellis, Junior, Indiana
Cole Elvis, Senior, California
Cade Fitzpatrick, Junior, Purdue Fort Wayne
Thomas Frick, Sophomore, North Carolina
Josh Glenn, Senior, Northern Colorado
Fernando Gonzalez, Sophomore, Georgia
Bryce Grizzaffi, Sophomore, Southeastern Louisiana
Garret Guillemette, Sophomore, USC
Nick Hassan, Sophomore, Kennessaw State
Kaden Hollow, Sophomore, Dixie State
Ty Hooks,Sophomore, Winthrop
Kody Huff, Junior, Stanford
Cade Hunter, Sophomore, Virginia Tech
Jerry Huntzinger, Senior, Xavier
Walker Janek, Freshman, Sam Houston
Ryan Johnson, Junior, Pepperdine
Dylan Judd, Junior, Massachusetts
Andrew Keck, Junior, Southeast Missouri State
Dominic Keegan, Senior, Vanderbilt
Will King, Sophomore, Eastern Kentucky
David LaManna, Senior, Notre Dame
Bennett Lee, Sophomore, Tulane
Ryan Leitch, Sophomore, Marshall
Sam Loda, Senior, Central Connecticut State
JT Marr, Junior, College of Charleston
David Martin, Sophomore, California Baptist
Hunter May, Junior, Alabama State
Mike Mazzara, Senior, Canisius
Thomas McCaffrey, Sophomore, UC Irvine
David Melfi, Sophomore, Wagner
Nolan Metcalf, Senior, Kansas
Zach Morgan, Junior, Fresno State
Ben Newton, Senior, East Carolina
Jimmy Obertop, Junior, Michigan
Kevin Parada, Sophomore, Georgia Tech
Shane Paradine, Junior, Stony Brook
Caleb Pendleton, Sophomore, Florida Atlantic
Christian Policelli, Senior, United States Naval Academy
Taj Porter, Redshirt Senior, Southern
Collin Price, Junior, Mercer
Ryan Proto, Sophomore, UMass Lowell
Cam Redding, Junior, Saint Louis
Keaton Rice, Senior, Bradley
Caleb Ricketts, Junior, San Diego
BT Riopelle, Junior, Florida
Nelson Rivera, Sophomore, South Florida
Maxwell Romero, Jr., Junior, Miami (FL)
George Rosales, Senior, Fairleigh Dickinson
Alonzo Rubalcaba, Senior, Kentucky
JC Santini, Graduate Student, Northwestern
Drew Sims, Senior, Utah Valley
Ryan Snell, Junior, Lamar
Ryan Stafford, Freshman, Cal Poly
Chase Stanke, Senior, Minnesota
Matt Suggs, Junior, UNCW
Andrew Sundean, Freshman, UCF
Daniel Susac, Sophomore, Arizona
Dominic Tamez, Junior, Alabama
Logan Tanner, Sophomore, Mississippi State
Justin Taylor, Junior, Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Kyle Teel, Sophomore, Virginia
Jared Thomas, Junior, Loyola Marymount
Brendan Tinsman, Junior, Wake Forest
Cason Tollett, Freshman, Arkansas State
Humberto Torres, Sophomore, Gardner-Webb
John Tuccillo, Graduate Student, Bryant
Anthony Tulimero, Sophomore, Houston
Michael Turner, Senior, Arkansas
Matt Wood, Junior, Penn State
Jake Wright, Junior, Arkansas-Little Rock
Jake Wyandt, Senior, Auburn
Hernan Yanez, Junior, Incarnate Word
2021 Semifinalists & Winner
Matheu Nelson, Florida State

2021 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year award
The Wichita Sports Commission announced the sixteen semifinalists for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. They are (in alphabetical order, 3 finalists in bold):

Eric Bigani, Junior, UNLV
Drew Blakely, Junior, Richmond
Henry Davis, Sophomore, Louisville
Adrian Del Castillo, Sophomore, Miami (FL)
Hayden Dunhurst, Sophomore, Ole Miss
Braxton Fulford, Junior, Texas Tech
Hunter Goodman, Sophomore, Memphis
Wyatt Hendrie, Sophomore, San Diego State
Coltyn Kessler, Senior, Kentucky
Matheu Nelson, Sophomore, Florida State
Drake Osborn, Senior, Louisiana
Straton Podaras, Senior, Radford
CJ Rodriguez, Sophomore, Vanderbilt
Daniel Susac, Freshman, Arizona
Logan Tanner, Freshman, Mississippi State
Andy Thomas, Senior, Baylor
Nick Thornquist, Senior, UTSA
Greg Anderberg, Senior, Nicholls State
Silas Ardoin, Sophomore, Texas
Caleb Bartolero, Sophomore, Troy
Colton Bender, Senior, Quinnipiac
Eric Bigani, Junior, UNLV
Drew Blakely, Junior, Richmond
Colin Burgess, Sophomore, South Carolina
Seth Caddell, Junior, East Carolina
Ross Cadena, Junior, Wichita State
Nick Cimillo, Junior, Manhattan College
Andrew Cossetti, Junior, Saint Joseph’s
Angelo D’Acunto, Junior, Holy Cross
Henry Davis, Sophomore, Louisville
Adrian Del Castillo, Sophomore, Miami (FL)
Hayden Dunhurst, Sophomore, Ole Miss
Myles Emmerson, Senior, Cal Poly
Zac Fascia, Senior, Purdue
Braxton Fulford, Junior, Texas Tech
Josh Glenn, Junior, Northern Colorado
Hunter Goodman, Sophomore, Memphis
Wyatt Hendrie, Sophomore, San Diego State
Liam Hicks, Junior, Arkansas State
Kody Huff, Sophomore, Stanford
Jerry Huntzinger, Senior, Seton Hall
Hayden Jones, Junior, Illinois State
Coltyn Kessler, Senior, Kentucky
Hunter May, Sophomore, Alabama State
Liam McGill, Grad. Student, Bryant
David Melfi, Sophomore, Wagner
Logan Michaels, Senior, Virginia
Natale Monastra, Senior, Xavier
Michael Morgan, Junior, James Madison
Shane Muntz, Junior, Wake Forest
Matheu Nelson, Sophomore, Florida State
Drake Osborne, Senior, Louisiana
Connor Pavolony, Junior, Tennessee
Straton Podaras, Senior, Radford
Reid Powers, Senior, South Alabama
Sam Praytor, Junior, Alabama
Collin Price, Sophomore, Mercer
Ryan Proto, Sophomore, UMass Lowell
Tyler Rando, Senior, Gonzaga
Keaton Rice, Junior, Bradley
BT Riopelle, Junior, Coastal Carolina
Luke Robinson, Senior, Western Carolina University
CJ Rodriguez, Sophomore, Vanderbilt
John Michael Russ, Junior, Arkansas-Little Rock
Chase Sebby, Senior, Ball State
Chase Stanke, Junior, Minnesota
Nate Stolze, Senior, Miami (OH)
Matt Suggs, Sophomore, UNCW
Logan Tanner, Freshman, Mississippi State
Andy Thomas, Senior, Baylor
Nick Thornquist, Senior, UTSA
Nicholas Toney, Sophomore, Florida Atlantic
Luca Tresh, Sophomore, NC State
Jake Wyandt, Senior, Presbyterian College

Who is Buster Posey?

Posey began his collegiate career as a shortstop, before moving to the catcher’s position his sophomore year. His junior season honors include: Johnny Bench Award, the Dick Howser Trophy, the Golden Spikes Award, and the 5th overall draft pick by the Giants.

During his major league career, Posey’s honors include: 3 world series titles,7 All-Star Game selections, 5 Silver Slugger Awards, 2010 National League Rookie of the Year, 2012 National League MVP, and 2016 Gold Glove Award winner. ©2019 S.F. Giants

AVG	GP-GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	SLG%
.460	66-65	248	88	114	20	4	26	92	220	.887

BB	HBP	SO	OB%	SB-ATT	PO	A	E	Fld%	SBA-ATT	CSB%	PB	CI
55	8	27	.564	5-8	416	50	8	.983	34-58	41.3	2	0

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE CATCHER OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT AND FINALISTS

The most demanding and dangerous position on a baseball field is the one designated as “number 2” on a scorecard – the catcher. The role of catcher has evolved into a strategic part of the baseball game. Therefore, it is only fitting that the baseball community nationally recognizes the top collegiate catcher.

Previously known as the Johnny Bench Award, the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award honors the nation’s top division one collegiate catcher as voted on by head coaches and sports information directors.

2024 Walker Janek, Sam Houston (Jacob Cozart, NC State; Ryan Stafford, Cal Poly

2023 Kyle Teel, Virginia (Jack Payton, Louisville; Ryan Snell, Lamar)

2022 Kevin Parada, Georgia Tech (Michael Carico, Davidson; Zach Morgan, Fresno State)
2021 Matheu Nelson, Florida State (Henry Davis, Louisville, Andy Thomas, Baylor)
2020 Did not award due to COVID-19 and cancellation of baseball season.
2019 Adley Rutschman, Oregon State (Kyle McCann, Georgia Tech; Eric Yang, UC Santa Barbara
2018 Joey Bart, Georgia Tech (Alex Holderbach, Eastern Kentucky; Rey Pastrana, Marrshall)
2017 Matt Whatley, Oral Roberts (David Banuelos, Long Beach State; Brent Diaz, Louisiana Tech)
2016 Zack Collins, Miami (Logan Ice, Oregon State; Keith Skinner, North Florida)
2015 Garrett Stubbs, Southern California (Kade Scivicque, LSU; Matt Winn, VMI)
2014 Max Pentecost, Kennesaw State (Will Allen, Ole Miss; Kyle Schwarber, Indiana)
2013 Stuart Turner, Ole Miss (Mitchell Garver, New Mexico; Zane Evans, Georgia Tech)
2012 Mike Zunino, Florida (Kevin Plawecki, Purdue; Mitchell Garver, New Mexico)
2011 Jake Lowery, James Madison (Chris O’Brien, Wichita State; Mike Zunino, Florida)
2010 Bryan Holaday, TCU (Yasmani Grandal, Miami; Jose Iglesias, Coastal Carolina)
2009 JT Wise, Oklahoma (Chris Henderson, George Mason; Tony Sanchez, Boston College)
2008 Buster Posey, Florida St. (Jason Castro, Stanford; Dock Doyle, Coastal Carolina)
2007 Edward Easley, Mississippi St (Matt Wieters, Georgia Tech; Buster Posey, Florida St.)
2006 Jake Smith, East Carolina (Jeff Kunkel, Michigan; Eddy Rodriguez, Miami)
2005 Jeff Clement, Southern California (Nick Hundley, Arizona; Taylor Teagarden, Texas)
2004 Kurt Suzuki, CS Fullerton (Landon Powell, South Carolina; Chris Iannetta, North Carolina)
2003 Ryan Garko, Stanford (Tony Richie, Florida St.; Colt Morton, NC State)
2002 Jeremy Brown, Alabama (Chris Snyder, Houston; Alberto Concepcion, Southern California)
2001 Kelly Shoppach, Baylor (Casey Myers, Arizona State; Jeremy Brown, Alabama)
2000 Brad Cresse, LSU (Justin Cowan, Nebraska; Casey Myers, Arizona State)