WICHITA, Kan. — Santa Clara University baseball senior catcher Ben Steck was named Thursday to the 2024 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award watch list, one of 63 NCAA Division I catchers placed on this year's list, and one of only three catchers from the West Coast Conference on the list.
 
The National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award honors the nation's top NCAA Division I collegiate catcher as voted on by head coaches and sports information directors. Kyle Teel from the University of Virginia won the 2023 Buster Posey Award, and was then selected 14th overall in the 2023 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox.
 
Steck has played in 32 of the Broncos' 34 games, with 28 of those appearances coming behind the plate (four at designated hitter). He's hitting .278 – more than 40 points higher than his average a year ago – with a .418 on-base percentage. He's hit four home runs, including a grand slam on Sunday, scored 22 runs, driven in 25 RBIs and stolen two bases. He's posted a near-flawless fielding percentage behind the dish at .996 with only one error. He's thrown out six would-be base stealers this season and hasn't committed an error since March 16, a 17-game and 129-chances stretch.
 
 "Since 2000, the Wichita Sports Commission has acknowledged the hard work and talent of the most demanding position in baseball," said Kevin Jenks, President/CEO of the Wichita Sports Commission. "The Buster Posey Award has become one of college baseball's most coveted and prestigious awards. It's always special to have all three finalists, their families and coaches attend the event."
 
The 2024 winner will be announced on June 26th at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet. Three finalists will be invited to attend the banquet hosted by the Wichita Sports Commission. Nominations from head coaches and sports information directors will continue until May 8.