Teel one of three finalists for nation’s best catcher

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Posted on Tuesday, Jun. 6, 2023, 7:00 am

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Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

Virginia catcher Kyle Teel is one of three finalists for the Buster Posey Catcher of the Year Award. He is the first Virginia backstop to be named a finalist for the award.

Previously known as the Johnny Bench Award, the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award honors the nation’s top division one collegiate catcher as voted on by head coaches and sports information directors. Other finalists for this year’s award include Jack Payton (Louisville) and Ryan Snell (Lamar).

Teel, the 2023 ACC Player of the Year, has started all 60 games behind the dish for the Cavaliers and offensively is one of the top bats in the country. He sports a .423 batting average and has accumulated a school-record 25 doubles to go along with 13 homers and 64 RBI. His home run in the ninth inning of the Charlottesville Regional was his 101st hit of his career, breaking UVA’s single-season mark.

Teel was a First Team All-ACC selection at catcher and is a semifinalist for both the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award. He ranks third in the country in hits, fifth in doubles and seventh in batting average. He leads the ACC in all three categories.

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 25th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 29.