May 17, 2005
ORLANDO - UCF junior catcher Drew Butera was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Coleman Company - Johnny Bench Award, the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced Thursday. Thirty-seven catchers from 16 conferences were nominated for the award by their coaches and that list was trimmed to 10 semifinalists.
"We are proud of Drew and the progress he has made over his career at UCF," stated head coach Jay Bergman. "Drew has put in a great deal of hard work to be in position to earn one of the nation's top collegiate awards."
Butera, a 48th round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays out of high school, is widely considered one of the top five catching prospects in the collegiate ranks for the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. "Butera's catch-and-throw skills help him stand out as one of the nation's top defensive catchers," stated Baseball America National Writer Will Kimmey.
In 2005, Butera has put up the best offensive numbers of his career. The Lake Mary native is batting .337 - second best on the team - with career-highs in home runs (5), hits (63), runs (45), doubles (12), RBI (38) and stolen bases (8).
Arguably the nation's top defensive catcher, Butera has held the opposition to just 28 stolen bases in 51 attempts. He limited the nation's leader in steals - Adam Godwin of Troy (76 stolen bases) - without a stolen base in two attempts in a three-game series at Troy.
A comprehensive biography will be created on each of the semifinalists and sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced on June 1, 2005, prior to the NCAA Regionals and Major League Baseball Draft. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 8th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 29, 2005.
Johnny Bench presented Cal State Fullerton catcher, Kurt Suzuki, with the award last June in Wichita, Kan. Chris Iannetta of the University of North Carolina and Landon Powell of the University of South Carolina were the other finalists for the award.