Kelly Named to Buster Posey Award Watch List
April 01, 2026 11:08 AM | Baseball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University sophomore Gavin Kelly has been named to the Buster Posey Award midseason watch list. The award is presented each year to the nation's most outstanding catcher by the Wichita Sports Commission.
Kelly is one of 50 catchers across Division I to be named to the watch list. Originally called the Johnny Bench Award, it was renamed after the former Florida State catcher and 12-year MLB veteran in 2019.
In 25 games this season, Kelly is hitting .415 with four home runs, 26 RBI, and 30 runs scored. He leads the Big 12 and is seventh in the nation with 13 doubles while also hitting two triples leading to a .716 slugging percentage and 1.193 OPS.
Defensively, he has caught thrown out 42% of would-be base stealers, cutting down five of 12 stolen base attempts.
Kelly is only the fifth WVU catcher to be named to the watch list, joining Alan Filauro (2013), Ray Guerrini (2016), Ivan Gonzalez (2017), and Logan Sauve (2025). This season, he is one of just two catchers from the Big 12, alongside Cincinnati's Jack Natili, to be named to the watch list.
The Mountaineers will be back at home, April 3-5, for a series against No. 23 UCF. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUBaseball on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Kelly is one of 50 catchers across Division I to be named to the watch list. Originally called the Johnny Bench Award, it was renamed after the former Florida State catcher and 12-year MLB veteran in 2019.
In 25 games this season, Kelly is hitting .415 with four home runs, 26 RBI, and 30 runs scored. He leads the Big 12 and is seventh in the nation with 13 doubles while also hitting two triples leading to a .716 slugging percentage and 1.193 OPS.
Defensively, he has caught thrown out 42% of would-be base stealers, cutting down five of 12 stolen base attempts.
Kelly is only the fifth WVU catcher to be named to the watch list, joining Alan Filauro (2013), Ray Guerrini (2016), Ivan Gonzalez (2017), and Logan Sauve (2025). This season, he is one of just two catchers from the Big 12, alongside Cincinnati's Jack Natili, to be named to the watch list.
The Mountaineers will be back at home, April 3-5, for a series against No. 23 UCF. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUBaseball on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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