Kyle Teel Named Finalist for Buster Posey Catcher of the Year Award

The UVA catcher is one of three finalists for the Catcher of the Year Award and is the first Cavalier to be a finalist for the award

Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics

Virginia catcher Kyle Teel has been named one of three finalists for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. Teel is the first Cavalier in program history to be a finalist for the award. The other two finalists are Louisville's Jack Payton and Lamar's Ryan Snell. 

The award, which annually recognizes the top catcher in Division I college baseball, is voted on by head coaches and sports information directors. It was formerly known as the Johnny Bench Award. 

Teel has already racked up several accolades for his outstanding season both behind the plate and in the batter's box. The junior catcher became just the third Cavalier to be named the ACC Player of the Year, was selected to the All-ACC First Team, and is a semifinalist for both Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award. Teel has started all 60 games for UVA this season, batting .423 and recording 13 home runs and 64 RBI. His 25 doubles and 101 hits this season are both single-season program records at Virginia. 

The recipient of the 2023 Buster Posey Award will be determined by a final vote during the College World Series and the winner will be announced on June 29th. 

Teel is set to lead Virginia against Duke in the Super Regional round of the NCAA Baseball Tournament this weekend in Charlottesville. Game 1 is set for Friday at 12pm at Disharoon Park and will be broadcast on ESPN2. 

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