WICHITA, Kan. – After yet another explosive season as arguably Cal Poly’s best catcher in program history, Ryan Stafford continues adding merit to his star-studded resumé. Announced on June 6, Stafford is a top-3 finalist for the 2024 Buster Posey Award, the first Mustang in program history to achieve the feat.
Ryan is well-deserved to be in this class of catchers. He is both an elite offensive and defensive player.
Head Coach Larry Lee
The most demanding and dangerous position on a baseball field is the one designated as “number 2” on a scorecard – the catcher. The role of catcher has evolved into a strategic part of the baseball game. Therefore, it is only fitting that the baseball community nationally recognizes the top collegiate catcher. (per Wichita Sports Commission)
The Buster Posey Award is presented annually to college baseball's top catcher. The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission created the National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award in 2000, and originally asked Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench to be the namesake of the award, which he was until 2018.
In 2019, Bench separated from the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission, began working with the Cincinnati Reds, and has selected the catchers he feels deserves the Johnny Bench Award since that season.
The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission changed the name of their award to the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, or in short, the Buster Posey Award.
They continued the storied process of having Division I coaches vote annually for the finalists, then during the College World Series, the national selection committee elects the winner – the best catcher in college baseball. (per Baseball Almanac)
Stafford joins elite company as a finalist given that previous winners of the award include one of baseball’s hottest young guns Adley Rutschman, MLB veterans Joey Bart, Zack Collins, Mike Zunino, and Kurt Suzuki, as well as the award’s namesake and future hall of famer Buster Posey.
Even then, notable players like Kyle Schwarber, Yasmani Grandal, Jason Castro, Matt Wieters, Nick Hundley, and Chris Iannetta have also been finalists.
Another record broken, another Mustang in the headlines! Congratulations to Ryan Stafford on becoming the program's new career doubles leader! ??#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/3yFhlEs4Mk
— Cal Poly Baseball (@CalPolyBSB) May 15, 2024
The draft-eligible Mustang also became just the fourth Big West player among finalists: Eric Yang (UC Santa Barbara, 2019), David Banuelos (Long Beach State, 2017), and the conference’s only winner of the award, the aforementioned Kurt Suzuki (Cal State Fullerton, 2004). The last major national award won by a Mustang catcher was Chris Hoo earning a Gold Glove in 2014.
Earlier in the season, D1Baseball named Stafford as the 17th-best catcher in the nation and the 83rd best draft eligible prospect in the upcoming MLB Draft. Now, after a career full of statistical success, awards, and honors, Stafford is greatly looking forward to the upcoming draft to eagerly see where he will continue his baseball career.
This nomination and finalist honor was well-earned by Stafford after a fantastic 2024 season that saw the junior earn end-of-season awards for his third consecutive collegiate season. Since becoming a Mustang in 2022, Cal Poly’s #7 has collected a total of seven honors and two major nods (2024 Big West Defensive Player of the Year and 2022 Freshman All-American) while not missing a single game through 172 appearances in the green and gold.
Alongside pacing the Big West with 86 hits, 23 doubles, and 22 caught stealing, Stafford placed himself among Cal Poly’s legends in the record book by becoming the all-time career doubles holder with 60 two-baggers. While also being one of Cal Poly’s best and most consistent batters through his three-year career, Stafford has set himself apart as a throwback defensive stalwart behind the dish, holding a career .989 fielding percentage paired with 152 assists. His 45 career runners caught stealing sits third in Cal Poly’s Division I era.
The 2024 Buster Posey Award winner will be announced on June 26th at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet. The three finalists (NC State's Jacob Cozart and Sam Houston State's Walker Janek, included with Stafford) will be invited to attend the banquet hosted by the Wichita Sports Commission. (per Wichita Sports Commission)
Ryan Stafford checks in at number 83 on D1 Baseball’s Top 100 2024 Draft Prospects! Stafford spend the summer playing in the Cape Cod League and the USA Collegiate National Team after a successful spring. pic.twitter.com/b0DlXswbkC
— Cal Poly Baseball (@CalPolyBSB) September 22, 2023
— Cal Poly Baseball (@CalPolyBSB) April 3, 2024The numbers speak for themselves! ??
In his prospective draft year, Ryan Stafford continues to be an absolute beast both behind and at the plate. ??#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/7hhb4OlgJP
