KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Western Michigan University senior catcher Connor Charping has been named a semifinalist for the 2022 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. Charping is the only Mid-American Conference representative among the semifinalists.
Charping led Western Michigan with a .348 batting average this season, which ranked eighth in the MAC. The senior led the conference in stolen bases with 26, which tied for fifth-most in a single season in WMU history. He concluded his Western Michigan career with 68 swipes, third-most in program history.
The backstop also ranked among the MAC leaders in several other offensive categories, including second in runs scored (57), fourth in total hits (72), tied for ninth in doubles (17) and 15th in on-base percentage (.440).
Previously known as the Johnny Bench Award, 14 winners of the National Collegiate Catcher of the Year have gone on to reach the Major Leagues, including Buster Posey and Mike Zunino.
Ballots will be sent to the national voting committee at the end of May for a vote to determine three finalists for the award. The three finalists will be announced on June 7, with the award to be presented June 29 in Wichita, Kansas by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.
(courtesy of WMU Athletics)
