West Virginia sophomore second baseman JJ Wetherholt, a Mars grad, was named one of five finalists for the 36th Dick Howser Trophy presented by The Game Headwear, as announced Thursday by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).
Wetherholt hit a nation-leading .449 with 16 home runs, 24 doubles, two triples, 60 RBIs, 67 runs scored, and 36 stolen bases. He was also named the Big 12 Player of the Year, a Collegiate Baseball first-team All-American, as well as a first-team Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators.
Wetherholt helped lead the Mountaineers to a share of their first Big 12 Championship and 40 wins, which matched a program record.
Wetherholt is only the second Mountaineer to be named a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, joining Alek Manoah in 2019.
Other finalists include outfielder Dylan Crews and pitcher Paul Skenes from LSU, pitcher Rhett Lowder from Wake Forest, and two-way player Jac Caglianone from Florida.
The winner will be announced on Thursday on MLB Network during the 10 a.m. hour and on Friday at a national news conference at 11 a.m. in the media room at Charles Schwab Park prior to the 76th NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
The Howser Trophy, considered the Heisman Trophy of college baseball, is given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager, who died of brain cancer in 1987. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life.
• Wetherholt was named as one of four finalists for the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award (BBNCSA) presented by SR Bats, as announced by the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation.
The BBNCSA was open to nominations from all Division I baseball programs in the country. The BBNCSA originally had 51 players nominated for the award at the beginning of the season and added eight players, including Wetherholt, to its midseason watch list. The award is based on performance at the plate, academics, and personal integrity.
The other finalists include Crews, Nolan Schanuel of Florida Atlantic, and Charlie Condon of Georgia. The winner of the BBNCSA will be announced later this month and honored at a gala in the fall.
• Wetherholt was also tabbed the NCBWA District 2 Player of the Year last week, becoming the fourth Mountaineer to earn the honor.
Know of any other Pittsburgh-area college athletes qualifying for the NCAA tournament or any Pittsburgh-area college athletes earning Division I honors? Send an email to kmurphy@post-gazette.com.
First Published: June 14, 2023, 3:41 p.m.
