Schwarber named finalist for best catcher

After hitting 14 home runs and boasting a .358 average this season, junior catcher Kyle Schwarber was named a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award, an honor given to the nation’s top Division I catcher.

Schwarber is one of three finalists nationwide. The others include Mississippi’s Will Allen and Kennesaw State’s Max Pentecost.

The winner will be announced June 26 during the Greater Wichita Banquet, to which Schwarber will be invited to attend.

Schwarber was the No. 2 hole hitter this year for the Hoosiers and was one of the nation’s best hitters.

During the regular season, he led the Big Ten in home runs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, walks, runs scored and triples and was second in hits and third in batting average.

The Middletown, Ohio, native is the No. 17 ranked draft prospect, according to Baseball America.

Schwarber has a year of eligibility left but could opt to leave early for the MLB if he chooses.

The 2014 MLB draft will take place today through Saturday, and Schwarber’s name is expected to be one of the first 20 called.

Evan Hoopfer