Miami Baseball's Zack Collins Named Johnny Bench Award Finalist

Courtesy UM

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Junior catcher Zack Collins was among the three players recognized as finalists for the 2016 Johnny Bench Award honoring the nation’s top catcher, the Greater Wichita Sports Commission announced Monday.

The other two finalists for the award are Logan Ice of Oregon State and Keith Skinner of the University of North Florida. Collins would become the first-ever Miami representative to win the Johnny Bench award, created in 2000.

Collins, a first-team All-ACC selection for the second straight year, delivered another dominant season both hitting and behind the plate in 2016. He is also a semifinalist for the 2016 Golden Spikes Award presented by USA Baseball and the 2016 Dick Howser Trophy, honoring the nation’s top collegiate player.

Collins has batted .358 for the season with team-leading totals of 13 home runs and 53 RBI. His 69 walks are tops amongst all players nationwide, while his .534 on-base percentage and .631 slugging percentage are also team highs and rank among the ACC’s best figures.

The Pembroke Pines, Fla., native has continued his ascent into the Miami record books, and currently ranks among the top 10 all-time in both home runs and RBI as a Hurricane.

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 19th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 30, 2016.