KALAMAZOO, Mich. – On Tuesday Western Michigan baseball junior catcher Jesse Forestell was named to the watch list for the 2018 Johnny Bench Award presented by BaseballSavings.com. The award is given annually to the top division one collegiate catcher.

A total of 97 catchers across the country were nominated for the award. The finalists will be announced on June 4. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series with the award presentation on June 28.

In 10 games this season Forestell has an on-base percentage of .326 with four RBIs, three runs scored and two doubles. The junior catcher has a .989 fielding percentage and has thrown out five runners trying to steal this season.

Last season, Forestell was named Academic All-MAC and was one of two players on the team to start all 53 games for the Broncos. The Chicago native becomes the first catcher to be named to the Johnny Bench Award Watch list since Brett Sunde earned the honor back in 2015.

Former winners of the Johnny Bench Award include Miami Marlin and former Detroit Tiger Bryan Holaday, San Francisco Giants catch Buster Posey and Kurt Suzuki of the Atlanta Braves.