Eric Jones Named to Johnny Bench Award Watchlist
3/7/2018 1:10:00 PM | Baseball
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WICHITA, Kan. -- Davidson baseball backstop Eric Jones can add another honor to his rapidly growing resume after being named to the 2018 Johnny Bench Award Watch List, the organization announced late Tuesday evening.
The Johnny Bench Award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate catcher. The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, whom will be announced June 28, 2018.
While Bench is remembered for his offense, he may have had the greatest impact behind the plate. He was the first receiver to use a protective helmet in the field, popularized catching one-handed and kept his throwing hand behind his back to protect it from foul tips. Bench's career honors include: National League Rookie of the Year (1968); National League Most Valuable Player (1970, 1972); World Series Most Valuable Player (1976); 14-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. In 1980, he set an endurance record by catching 100+ games for 13 consecutive seasons. Bench was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 1989 with the fourth highest percentage of total votes cast.
Jones, a recent National Player of the Week, is hitting .395 through 12 games this season (.737 SLG, .547 OBP). He leads the league in batting average, RBI (18), runs (12), home runs (3), walks (12), and slugging percentage (.737). He ranks second in on-base percentage (.547), total bases (28), and 13th nationally for RBI.
Jones is the second Wildcat to be named to the Watch List, joining now-alum Jake Sidwell '17. The junior has already caught four runners stealing in the eleven games behind the plate. He was a 2017 Atlantic 10 All-Championship team selection and fell just one hit shy of the tournament record with 14.
"Eric does an outstanding job controlling our pitching staff, managing games and pitch calling according to game plan," head coach Dick Cooke said. "He was one of the top hitters in the league last season, and has embraced taking over as our catcher rather seamlessly. He plays a natural leadership position on the field, but goes above and beyond that as a backstop. Eric is a fantastic representation of the effort and heart that represents our program."
Three of his Atlantic 10 fellow battery mates were also placed on the watch list-- Fordham junior Justin Bardwell, George Mason sophomore Logan Driscoll, and Richmond junior Kyle Schmidt. Bardwell is a repeat selection.
