May 19, 2010

WICHITA, Kan. – University of Miami junior catcher Yasmani Grandal has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the 2010 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award, as announced by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission Wednesday.

Grandal is having one of the most productive offensive seasons in school history, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference in hitting (.432), slugging percentage (.784) and on-base percentage (.555), while ranking second in doubles (21) and walks (47). His .474 average in conference play is 89 points higher than the ACC’s next-best hitter (Georgia Tech’s Matt Skole at .385) and his .995 overall fielding percentage is among the nation’s best at the catcher position.

Over Miami’s last 25 games, Grandal is hitting .487 with 10 homers, 29 RBI and 25 runs scored. He boasts a 1.631 OPS over that span, recording multiple hits 14 times in his last 24 games played.

On the year, Grandal has 13 homers, 54 RBI, 46 runs scored and 138 total bases in 50 games.

A selection committee of twenty individuals narrowed the initial watch list down to the semifinalists. Statistics will now be compiled on each of the semifinalists 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 2, 2010 prior to the NCAA 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 13th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on July 1, 2010.

Bench’s career honors include: National League Rookie of the Year (1968); National League Most Valuable Player (1970, 1972); World Series Most Valuable Player (1976); 14-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. In 1980, he set an endurance record by catching 100+ games for 13 consecutive seasons. Bench was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 1989 with the fourth highest percentage of total votes cast.

The Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award semifinalists are (in alphabetical order):

Jeff Arnold, University of Louisville
Jett Bandy, University of Arizona
Chris Berset, University of Michigan
Robert Brantly, UC Riverside
Dan Burkhart, Ohio State University
Micah Gibbs, Louisiana State University
Andrew Giobbi, Vanderbilt University
Yasmani Grandal, University of Miami
Ben Heath, Pennsylvania State University
Bryan Holaday, Texas Christian University
Jose Iglesias, Coastal Carolina University
Jim Klocke, Southeast Missouri State
Ryan Lipkin, University of San Francisco
Matt Rice, Western Kentucky
Cameron Rupp, University of Texas
Derek Trent, East Tennessee State University