DALLAS - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has released the list of semifinalists for the 2016 Dick Howser Trophy, presented by Easton Foundations. The award, given to the top player in collegiate baseball, is based on two rounds of national voting.
The candidates hail from 17 different conferences and 34 different schools. The Atlantic Coast Conference leads the way with 13 semifinalists, followed by the Southeastern Conference with eight, Big 12 with three, Sun Belt with three, Atlantic Sun, Colonial, Missouri Valley with two and Big South, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-12, Southland, Southwestern Athletic and West Coast Conferences with one each. Every position on the diamond is represented, including eight starting pitchers, five third basemen, five outfielders, four shortstops, four first basemen, four catchers, four relief pitchers, three second basemen, three utility players and three designated hitters, among this diversified group.
The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager, who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball's most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life.
A Florida native, Howser was twice an All-America shortstop at Florida State (1957-58), then coached the Seminoles in 1979 after a career as a major league player and coach. After one year in the college ranks, Howser returned to the majors to manage the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals and won the World Series with the Royals in 1985. The baseball stadium on the Florida State campus is named for Howser.
“The Dick Howser Trophy was founded shortly after his death by a few friends of Dick’s in the St. Petersburg Area who played, coached and worked with him,” said David Feaster, chairman of the Howser Trophy Committee. “All knew him personally and were aware of him as a tremendous player, coach and friend. The award was initially awarded at the Governors Baseball Dinner held each spring in St. Petersburg to welcome Spring Training to Florida and as time progressed, we moved the presentation to Omaha, the center of college baseball, during the World Series. I have been involved with the award for more than 25 years and have loved every minute of my involvement. I have had the opportunity to meet some great college players as well as some great young men. I am so proud of the character quality we have in our award, which makes it unique. I am also proud of our selection process by the NCBWA which is the most democratic of any award and provides a true national scope.
“The Dick Howser trophy is now 30 years old and growing stronger,” added Feaster. “It is a true testimony to Dick Howser’s ability as a player, coach and gentlemen. I am proud to be associated with it.”
The winner's name is inscribed on the permanent trophy, a bronze bust of Howser displayed at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg - home of the Tampa Bay Rays. Both the winner and his school receive a special trophy to keep.
NCBWA membership includes writers, broadcasters and publicists. Designed to promote and publicize college baseball, it is the sport's only college media-related organization, founded in 1962.
| Name | Position | School |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Alonso | 1B | Florida |
| Luken Baker | UTL | TCU |
| Seth Beer | OF | Clemson |
| Jake Burger | 3B | Missouri State |
| Joseph Camacho | SP | Alabama State |
| CJ Chatham | SS | Florida Atlantic |
| Zack Collins | C | Miami |
| Will Craig | 3B | Wake Forest |
| Chris DeVito | C | New Mexico |
| Nick Feight | C | UNC Wilmington |
| Matt Fiedler | UTL | Minnesota |
| Jameson Fisher | 1B | Southeastern Louisiana |
| Bryan Garcia | RP | Miami |
| Thomas Hackimer | RP | St. John’s |
| Darrick Hall | 1B | Dallas Baptist |
| Drew Harrington | SP | Louisville |
| Kevin Hill | SP | South Alabama |
| Dakota Hudson | SP | Mississippi State |
| Connor Jones | SP | Virginia |
| Connor Justus | SS | Georgia Tech |
| Eric Lauer | SP | Kent State |
| Kyle Lewis | OF | Mercer |
| Brendan McKay | UTL | Louisville |
| Hunter Melton | 1B | Texas A&M |
| Brian Mims | 2B | UNC Wilmington |
| Dylan Moore | RP | Louisiana-Lafayette |
| Sheldon Neuse | SS | Oklahoma |
| Jake Noll | 2B | Florida Gulf Coast |
| Corey Raley | DH | Texas Tech |
| Troy Rallings | RP | Washington |
| Corey Ray | OF | Louisville |
| Bryan Reynolds | OF | Vanderbilt |
| John Sansone | 3B | Florida State |
| Clarke Schmidt | SP | South Carolina |
| Ryan Scott | OF | Little Rock |
| Nick Senzel | 3B | Tennessee |
| Colton Shaver | DH | BYU |
| Logan Shore | SP | Florida |
| Nick Solak | 2B | Louisville |
| Matt Thaiss | C | Virginia |
| Taylor Walls | SS | Florida State |
| Boomer White | 3B | Texas A&M |
| G.K. Young | DH | Coastal Carolina |