Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Adds 14 Players to Midseason Watch List
The Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award (BBCSA) presented by SR Bats announced today that 14 players have been added to the midseason Watch List for the 2022 award. The BBCSA, created by the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation, was open to nominations from all Division I baseball programs in the country. The award is based on performance at the plate, academics and personal integrity.
The 14 additions to this year’s list are Virginia Tech’s Jack Hurley, Davidson’s Michael Carico, Auburn’s Sonny DiChiara, Sam Houston’s Justin Wishkoski and Carlos Contreras, UNLV’s Joey Walls, Kansas’ Maui Ahuna, UT Rio Grande Valley’s Brandon Pimentel, Virginia’s Jake Gelof, James Madison’s Chase Delanter, Florida Atlantic’s Nolan Schanuel, Southern Illinois’ J.T. Weber, Georgetown’s Jake Hyde and California Baptist’s David Martin.
“The Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award (BBCSA) Selection Committee’s job of determining the winner this year will be a challenge moving forward,” said Tracy Taylor, Executive Director of the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation and the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award. “The 14 additions to this year’s list join the deepest group of college hitters we have ever had and make the list even more formidable.
“We have added several student-athletes who are currently hitting over .400 for the season. The BBCSA Watch List now includes the D1 leaders in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage as well as hits, doubles and walks,while having several players among the leaders in home runs and RBI.”
“As for the student part of student-athlete, the BBCSA continues to draw outstanding young men who are excelling in the classroom,”added Taylor. “Highlights of the Watch List additions include students majoring in Civil Engineering, International Affairs, Business and Finance with GPAs above 3.6.
With the addition of today’s players, the BBCSA Watch List is now up to 58 hitters for the 2022 season. The BBCSA will name the finalists for this year's award in May. The winner of the Bobby BraganCollegiate Slugger Award will be announced in June and honored at a gala in the fall.
Texas Tech’s Hunter Hargrove won the initial BBCSA in 2017. Dallas Baptist’s Devlin Granberg took home the honor in 2018 with Texas Tech’s Josh Jung winning the award in 2019. The BBCSA had no winner in 2020 due to the fact that the COVID-19 virus cut that collegiate baseball season short. Last year’s winner was Connor Norbyfrom East Carolina University.
Fans can follow news about the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award presented by SR Bats and its player of the week honorees during the season at www.braganslugger.com.
