Skinner Named Finalist for Johnny Bench Award

Official Release
WICHITA, Kan. – North Florida catcher Keith Skinner was named one of three finalists for the 2016 Johnny Bench Award presented by BaseballSavings.com. Annually given out to the nation's top catcher, the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission will announce the winner at the 19^th Annual Greater Wichita Area Sports Banquet on June 30.

The Johnny Bench Award finalists are (in alphabetical order):
• Zack Collins, University of Miami JR
• Logan Ice, Oregon State University JR
• Keith Skinner, University of North Florida SR

A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series (June 18-29). All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the banquet, the commission's signature event.

"This is a tremendous honor for Keith and a tribute to how hard he's worked to get to this point," said Head Coach Smoke Laval. "He was our most consistent hitter and became an outstanding defensive catcher in his two seasons at UNF. As a program we couldn't be more proud and look forward to seeing what he can do at the next level."

Skinner was a First Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference selection after leading the league with a .382 batting average. He started all but one game at catcher including the first 47 games of the season. He collected 81 hits (4^th in the ASUN) and drew 36 walks (3^rd in the ASUN). Defensively he cut down 17 runners attempting to steal and boasted a .998 fielding percentage, tops in the ASUN. He was listed as the 29th toughest player in the country to strikeout, once ever 15.1 at bats.

His .382 batting average in 2016 was the sixth highest in a single season in program history. In two seasons, Skinner ranks second all-time with a .997 fielding percentage and is a career .358 hitter, seventh highest in program history. He owns the program record for RBIs in a game with nine set last year vs. Jacksonville.

Skinner is the first North Florida catcher ever to be named a finalist for the award and only the second in the history of the Atlantic Sun.

Previous winners of the Johnny Bench Award include Max Pentecost (Kennesaw St. - 2014) and current big leaguers, Buster Posey (Florida State – 2008) and Kurt Suzuki (Cal State Fullerton – 2004). The award was first presented at the conclusion of the 2000 college baseball season.

Players Mentioned

Keith Skinner

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