Buster Posey Award

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.
2022 Greater Wichita Sports Banquet Ticket Information
2022 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award
Watch List
The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, whom will be announced May 19, 2022. Ballots will be sent to the national voting committee at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 7, 2022. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced on June 29, 2022.
2022 Buster Posey Award Watch List UPDATE 5/6/22
David Melfi, SO, Wagner
Ben Newton, SR, East Carolina
Taj Porter, R-SR, Southern

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.
Since his major league debut in 2010, Posey’s honors include: 3 world series titles,6 All-Star Game selections, 4 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
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)