WICHITA, Kan. - Appalachian State University junior Jeremy Dowdy (Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield) is one of 42 players on the initial watch list for the 2011 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award presented by Papa John's, the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced on Thursday. The Bench Award is given annually to college baseball's top catcher.
Considered one of the nation's best backstops behind the plate, Dowdy is also a highly regarded offensive catcher. As a sophomore last season, he allowed just 37 stolen bases and five passed balls, both the lowest marks in the SoCon, and threw out 14 would-be stealers. He also had a breakout season at the plate a year ago, hitting .338 with six home runs and 48 RBI.
Through 13 games this season, only eight opposing runners have even attempted to steal against Dowdy and he has thrown out three of them, good for a very respecatble 37.5-percent caught-stealing rate.
Dowdy is the only Southern Conference catcher represented on the 42-player Bench Award watch list and one of only three backstops recognized from the baseball-rich state of North Carolina.