Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Adrian Salinas Named To The 2008 Johnny Bench Watch List
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi senior catcher Adrian Salinas has been named to the 2008 Coleman Company Johnny Bench Award List.
Salinas, who is in his first season as a regular for the Islanders, has been selected by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission to the official watch list for the 2008 Coleman
Company-Johnny Bench Award delivered by AT&T and Papa John’s Pizza. Thirty-six catchers from twenty-two conferences were nominated for the award by their coaches.
Salinas, who was nominated for the award by Malone after solid fall, emerged during the fall as the Islanders backstop. He was the only Southland Conference player selected to the list.
“The great thing about Adrian is he had to work hard just to earn some playing time,” said Malone. “He had it tough in his first season here sitting behind Josh Plumaj, who is arguably the best catcher the school has had. He entered the fall knowing the position was wide open. He showed a great work ethic and had a great fall as one of our top hitters.
“For Adrian to get this type of recognition on the national level, is the direction we need to go as a program. This is a great honor not only for Adrian and our program, but for the Southland Conference as well.’
The award is given annually to the top division one collegiate catcher. The list will be updated to include other candidates until May 5, 2008. The watch list will be narrowed down to ten semi-finalists, whom will be announced May 14, 2008. Statistics will be compiled on each of the semi-finalists and sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists.
The finalists will be announced June 3, 2008 prior to the NCAA Super Regionals and Major League Baseball Draft. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 11th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 27, 2008.