Miami's Eddy Rodriguez Named Johnny Bench Award Finalist

May 31, 2006

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami junior catcher Eddy Rodriguez (Miami/Coral Gables HS) was named a finalist for the 2006 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission today. The award is presented annually at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet to the nation’s top collegiate catcher. Rodriguez is joined by fellow finalists, Jeff Kunkel of Michigan and Jake Smith of East Carolina.

A 2006 First Team All-ACC selection, Rodriguez was recruited for his defensive play behind the play but has blossomed offensively in college. He is hitting .335 and is tied for the team lead with nine home runs, both career bests. Rodriguez has hit 13 doubles with 33 RBI and has also set career highs for hits (56), slugging percentage (.575) and walks (21) this season. In addition, Rodriguez batted .367 against the talent-rich ACC pitching this season.

Rodriguez has also been solid behind the plate, compiling a .987 fielding percentage and has thrown out 39 percent of base runners this season to go along with a team-best 349 putouts and five pickoffs.

A final vote among the national selection committee will occur during the College World Series. All three finalists and their coaches will be invited to Wichita for the 9th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 28, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Wichita. Johnny Bench will present the award to the recipient.

To view the official release, please click on the following link, or copy and paste into your browser: http://www.wichitasports.com/images/stories/pdfs/benchfinalists.pdf