Brian Olson (Black Diamond, Wash.), a junior catcher for the Seattle University baseball team, has been named to the official watch list for the 2014 Johnny Bench Award presented by BaseballSavings.com, announced Thursday by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.
The Johnny Bench Award is given annually by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission to the top Division I collegiate catcher in the country. The watch list will be amended to include other candidates until May 5, and then the list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists on May 15, with three finalists chosen by a national voting panel on June 3 and the award winner announced at the 17th annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 26.
Olson has been a mainstay behind the plate for Seattle University ever since joining the Redhawk baseball program in the fall of 2011 as a freshman. In 2012, he hit .276 with two home runs and 18 runs batted in, plus he drew 23 walks while striking out just 16 times. Defensively, he threw out 17 of 41 would-be base stealers, cutting down 41.5 percent of attempted stolen bases. Last season, he caught 33.3 percent of would-be base stealers (12-of-36) as he earned 50 hits, scored 29 runs, and collected 20 RBI during the 2013 campaign.
So far this season, Olson has gotten off to a strong start at the plate, leading the Redhawks with 14 hits, including four doubles, and 11 runs batted in. As the catcher, he has caught six would-be base stealers in 13 attempts, cutting down runners at a 46.2 percent clip. He is one of two catchers on the watch list representing the Western Athletic Conference, along with senior Taylor Noyer from New Mexico State.
“Brian has one of the best releases and arms in the conference, and maybe the West Coast. He is constantly hustling and is a leader behind the plate. He has hit in the middle of our order for three years, and the pro scouts really like what he brings to the park,” Seattle U head baseball coach Donny Harrel said.
Seattle University will host nationally-ranked Cal Poly in the Redhawks’ first home games of the 2014 season. The game Friday, March 7, will take place at Meridian Park in Shoreline starting at 6:45 p.m., with a doubleheader planned for Saturday, March 8, at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood beginning at 1 p.m.