March 11, 2004
TEMPE, Ariz. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Arizona State junior starting catcher Tuffy Gosewisch has been named to the initial watch list for the 2004 Johnny Bench Catcher of the Year Award. Gosewisch has helped lead ASU to a 15-2 start and a No. 5 national ranking.
Gosewisch (Scottsdale, Ariz.) is in his second year as ASU's starter behind the plate and is off to another great season. Through 17 games, Gosewisch is hitting .356 (21-for-59) with 13 runs scored, five doubles, one home run and 11 RBI. He has recorded at least one hit in 13 of ASU's 17 games, including going 4-for-10 (.400) last weekend against East Carolina. Defensively he has thrown out seven of 16 attempted base stealers and has not recorded a passed ball this season. The junior also calls his own pitches for the fifth-ranked Sun Devils and has helped a young pitching staff get out to a quick start (3.49 ERA).
Arizona State has a long tradition with the Johnny Bench Catcher of the Year Award, with former Devil Casey Myers being selected as a finalist in 2000 and 2001. The watch list will be updated again on May 3, 2004 before being narrowed down to 10 semifinalist (announced May 20, 2004). The finalist will be announced June 3, 2004 prior to the NCAA Regionals and annual Major League Baseball Draft. All finalists will be brought to Wichita, Kan., and the winner will be announced at the 7th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 30, 2004.
Previous Winners of Johnny Bench Catcher of the Year: 2003 Ryan Garko Stanford 2002 Jeremy Brown Alabama 2001 Kelly Shoppach Baylor 2000 Brad Cresse LSU