Three Pac-12 baseball players named to NCBWA midseason stopper of the year watch list
Apr 23, 2014
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Three Pac-12 relief pitchers are among 50 players named to the midseason watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, an honor given to the top reliever in NCAA Division I baseball, the NCBWA announced on Wednesday.
Representing the Pac-12 on the watch list are the following student-athletes (in alphabetical order): David Berg, So., UCLA; Jake Reed, Jr., ORE; A.J. Vanegas, Sr., STAN.
Berg, the 2013 NCBWA Stopper of the Year award winner, has thrown 38.2 innings in 25 appearances this season, most in the Pac-12 and fourth-most in the nation. The junior right-hander has recorded a 3-1 record with nine saves and his 1.63 ERA is third-lowest in the Conference. Berg has also won 11 of his last 12 decisions dating back to 2012 while his 24 saves a year ago set an NCAA single-season record and his 51 appearances tied another one. The All-American became the first reliever in Pac-12 history to be named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year in 2013.
Reed, a junior from La Mesa, Calif., leads the Pac-12 and ranks 10th in the NCAA with 10 saves. He boasts a 2-1 record with a 3.18 ERA and has struck out 22 batters in 22.1 innings pitched. The converted starter is third on Oregon’s all-time saves list, fourth in innings pitched, seventh in wins and ninth in strikeouts and appearances.
Vanegas, who has appeared in 11 games for the Cardinal this season, is one of three players on the list that has posted a 0.00 ERA with five weeks left in the regular season. On the year, he owns a 1-1 record with 20.0 innings of work. He has registered 14 strikeouts versus three walks while his five saves is tied for seventh in the Conference.
Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information/media relations contacts. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, June 4, prior to start of NCAA Super Regional tournament competition.
The NCBWA's All-America Committee will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced during the 2014 College World Series.
For the complete 2014 Stopper of the Year midseason watch list, visit www.ncbwa.com.