NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt student-athlete CJ Rodriguez was selected as a semifinalist for the 2021 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, announced by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission this week.
Rodriguez was one of 16 semifinalists named to the list, after being tabbed to the initial watch list to begin the season. The Newport Beach, Calif., native is one of four catchers from the SEC on the list, joining Hayden Dunhurst of Ole Miss, Coltyn Kessler of Kentucky and Logan Tanner of Mississippi State.
This season, Rodriguez has appeared in 41 games, including 36 starts. The sophomore backstop has nailed eight runners on the basepaths, while helping Vanderbilt allow the second-fewest stolen bases in the SEC in 2021.
Previously known as the Johnny Bench Award, the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year presented by the Kamerion Wimbley Foundation honors the nation’s top Division I collegiate catcher as voted on by head coaches and sports information directors.
Ballots will be sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to be determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 7, 2021. 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 23rd Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on July 1, 2021.