WICHITA, Kan. – Western Michigan senior catcher Connor Charping has been named to the 2022 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Watch List. Charping is the only Mid-American Conference representative on the initial 76-player watch list, which can be found here.
 
Charping has had a blistering start to his senior campaign, leading the Broncos and ranking eighth in the MAC with a .417 batting average. The Trenton, Mich., native is currently riding a nine-game hitting streak, and has reached base in 21 straight games, dating back to the end of the 2021 season.
 
The backstop also sits atop the conference in total hits (20), runs scored (17), stolen bases (7) and is tied for third in the league with five doubles. Defensively, Charping has thrown out three runners trying to steal, one shy of the MAC lead.
 
Previously known as the Johnny Bench Award, 13 winners of the National Collegiate Catcher of the Year have gone on to reach the Major Leagues, including Buster Posey and Mike Zunino.
 
Nominations remain open for others catchers to be added to the Watch List until May 4, with the semifinalists released on May 19. Three finalists will be named on June 7, with the award to be presented on June 29 in Wichita, Kan., by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.