Virginia’s Gelof named semifinalist for Dick Howser Trophy

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Sophomore Jake Gelof is one of 39 semifinalists for the Dick Howser Trophy, an award that honors the top player, based on two rounds of national voting. He is the first Virginia semifinalist since Adam Haseley in 2017.

Gelof is having one of the best offensive seasons in Virginia baseball history. He was named the D1Baseball.com Midseason Player of the Year and is also included on the Golden Spikes Award Watch List. Going into the weekend against Louisville, he is batting .383 with 58 runs scored, 15 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs and 71 RBI. His 71 RBI are the second most in single-season in UVA history and are the fifth-most in the country. Gelof has the eighth highest slugging percentage (.781) of any player in college baseball.

Balloting for the award was done by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, in conjunction with the Dick Howser Trophy Committee and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

The finalists will be announced on Thursday, June 9. The 2022 award will be presented at Charles Schwab Field in downtown Omaha, the home of the College World Series for the 10th year. The winner will be unveiled on MLB Network on Friday, June 17, in the 9 a.m. (CDT) hour, before a press conference with the winner will be held at 10 a.m., the opening day just prior to the first game of the 75th NCAA College World Series.

The Dick Howser Trophy, presented by The Game Headwear, given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager, who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball’s most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser’s life.

UVA Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalists (Since 2004)
2022 – Jake Gelof
2017 – Adam Haseley
2016 – Connor Jones, Matt Thaiss
2011 – Danny Hultzen, Will Roberts
2010 – Danny Hultzen
2007 – Jacob Thompson, Sean Doolittle
2004 – Joe Koshansky (finalist)