CORVALLIS, Ore. — Awards are beginning to come in for Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman after a dominant junior season.
One day after Rutschman was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year, "Collegiate Baseball" named him its National Player of the Year.
Collegiate Baseball's National Player of the Year was first awarded in 1984. Recent past winners include current MLB stars like Andrew Benintendi (Arkansas, 2015); Kris Bryant (San Diego, 2013); Trevor Bauer (UCLA, 2011); Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast, 2010); Stephen Strasburg (San Diego State, 2009); Buster Posey (Florida State, 2008); and David Price (Vanderbilt, 2007).
Rutschman led the conference with a .419 batting average, fourth-best in the country. He led the nation with a .580 on-base percentage, aided by a school-record 73 walks. He reached base safely in 54 of Oregon State’s 55 games this season.
Rutschman was also named Co-Defensive Player of the Year with Stanford catcher Maverick Handley.
The recognitions are the start of what is expected to be a busy postseason for Rutschman, a Sherwood High School graduate, on and off the field.
Rutschman is still in the running for numerous national awards.
- Golden Spikes Award, given to the best amateur player
- Dick Howser Trophy, given to the best college baseball player
- Buster Posey Catcher of the Year Award
The junior catcher is also expected to be the top pick in the Major League Baseball Draft on Monday, June 3. Rutschman garnered attention as a potential top pick during his breakout sophomore season, which included being named the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series. Baseball America says Rutschman is the best MLB prospect since Bryce Harper, who signed a $330-million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies this year.
On the field, Rutschman and the defending national champion Beavers still have work to do. The Beavers (36-18-1) finished third in the Pac-12 this season and are the No. 16 national seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament. Oregon State will host a double-elimination regional this weekend. Their first game is scheduled for Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m. against Cincinnati. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
