Yasmani Grandal Named Johnny Bench Award Finalist
June 2, 2010
WICHITA, Kan. – University of Miami junior catcher Yasmani Grandal has been named one of three finalists for the 2010 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award, as announced Wednesday by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.
The award is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate catcher based on athletic ability, sportsmanship, team leadership and character.
A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. Grandal, along with fellow finalists Bryan Holaday of TCU and Jose Igesias of Coastal Carolina, will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 13th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on July 1, 2010.
Grandal is having one of the most successful offensive seasons in the history of Miami baseball. He currently leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in hitting (.422), on-base percentage (.545) and slugging percentage (.754), while ranking second in walks (52) and doubles (22). His .422 average ranks among the greatest single season marks in school history, while his .994 fielding percentage is among the best in the nation at his position. He ranks second on the team in homers (14) and RBI (56), while ranking third in runs scored (50).
In addition to being named a Johnny Bench finalist, Grandal has also recently been named the 2010 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year as well as a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist.
Grandal and the top-seeded Hurricanes will face No. 4 Dartmouth at 4 p.m. Friday at Alex Rodriguez Park on the first day of the 2010 NCAA Coral Gables Regional. For ticket information, visit www.hurricanesports.com or call 1-800-GO-CANES.
The Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award delivered by Papa John’s Pizza is in its 11th year.
Previous Johnny Bench Award Winners
2009 J.T. Wise, University of Oklahoma
2008 Buster Posey, Florida State University
2007 Edward Easley, Mississippi State University
2006 Jake Smith, East Carolina University
2005 Jeff Clement, University of Southern California
2004 Kurt Suzuki, Cal State – Fullerton
2003 Ryan Garko, Stanford University
2002 Jeremy Brown, University of Alabama
2001 Kelly Shoppach, Baylor University
2000 Brad Cresse, Louisiana State University
