WICHITA, Kan. – Cal State Fullerton catcher A.J. Kennedy was named to the Johnny Bench Award Watch List presented by Baseball Savings, the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced Wednesday.
Kennedy was one of 75 catchers nominated for the award by their coaches and the only backstop from the Big West Conference to make the list. Because the award is given annually to the top Division I collegiate catcher, the list will be updated to include other candidates until May 4.
Kennedy is currently batting .268 (11-for-41) with five doubles and seven RBIs. He is slugging .390 and has scored four runs.
The Anaheim, Calif. native has been excellent behind the plate so far this season for the Titans as he has yet to commit an error in 141 chances. Kennedy has also effectively controlled the running game, throwing out 60 percent (6-of-10) would-be base stealers so far this year.
Kennedy had a career night on March 6 against then No. 5 Texas Tech, setting a career-high with four hits and three doubles to help lead the Titans to a 4-0 victory over the Red Raiders en route to a series sweep.
This marks the second straight season the Titans have had a catcher named to the initial Johnny Bench Award Watch List after Jared Deacon was nominated in 2014. Former Titans catcher Kurt Suzuki is the only Cal State Fullerton backstop to win the award, doing so in 2004.
The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, whom will be announced May 14. Ballots will be sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 2. 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 at the 18th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 25.
