WACO, TX — Baylor junior catcher Shea Langeliers was named one of 14 semifinalists for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission on Friday. The finalists will be announced on June 3 and the award will be handed out at the 22nd Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 27.
Langeliers has been named to the watch list for the Buster Posey Award (formerly the Johnny Bench Award) all three of his seasons at Baylor, but this is his first semifinalist nod.
Langeliers has started 38 games behind the plate and has rounded into form at the plate after missing 10 games early in the season with a broken hamate bone. He currently is hitting .311 (50-for-161) with eight doubles, one triple and six home runs, tied for third-most on the team. He has also driven in 28 runs and scored 28 of his own. Overall, he is slashing .311/.376/.484 on the year.
The 2018 Gold Glove Award winner at the catcher position, Langeliers has the ability to change opposing team’s game plans because of his arm behind the plate. Since returning to catching after his hamate bone surgery on March 13, he has thrown out 11-of-18 would-be basestealers, good for a 61.1 percent. He currently has not allowed a stolen base since March 30 at Kansas and he has caught all of the five base stealers that have attempted to steal since March 30. Overall on the year, the Keller, Texas, native has thrown out 12-of-22 would-be basestealers, good for 54.5 percent.
The last Bear to be named a semifinalist for the award given to the nation’s top catcher, previously called the Johnny Bench Award, was Josh Ludy in 2012. Langeliers is looking to become just the second Bear to win the honor after Kelly Shoppach took home the award in 2001.
