May 23, 2012
LUBBOCK, Texas-- Stanford utiltyman Stephen Piscotty is a finalist for the John Olerud Award, given to college baseball's top two-way player.
Piscotty, who has moved into the weekend rotation the last two weekends (and been 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA), is also the Cardinal's leading hitter (.335) and RBI man (53). On the mound in 10 appearances he has a 4-2 record and 2.25 ERA. The projected first round pick has also started every game in his career, playing left, first and third throughout his three-year career.
Olerud was Baseball America's player of the year in 1988 and went onto a 17-year major league career, winning the American League batting title in 1993 with the Blue Jays. Olerud twice hit over .400 for Washington State and also won 26 games on the mound.
Some other former two-players who have reached the Big Leagues have included Buster Posey, Todd Helton, Brad Wilkerson, Ike Davis, and Jason Vargas
Teammate Mark Appel remains on the 25-man watch list for the college baseball's pitcher of the year award, formerly the Roger Clemens Award, as well as the Dick Howser Trophy. He is also on the watch list for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation's top player and presented by USA Baseball.
In conjunction with the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the award for player and pitcher of the year, along with the Howser Trophy, Olerud (utility), Wallace (shortstop) and Bench (catcher) Awards and NCBWA Stopper of the Year, will all be presented at the “College Baseball Night of Champions” in Lubbock, Texas on June 30.
Olerud Finalists
Jacob Mayers, Richmond
Michael Lorenzen, CS Fullerton
Drew Reynolds, East Carolina
Stephen Piscotty, Stanford
Kevin McKague, Army
Brian Johnson, Florida
Austin Maddox, Florida
AJ Reed, Kentucky
CK Irby, Samford
Marco Gonzales, Gonzaga