April 16, 2012

WICHITA, Kan. - Kansas senior catcher James Stanfield is one of five catchers that was added to the 2012 Johnny Bench Award Watch List Monday by The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.  

The Johnny Bench Award, which is presented by BaseballSavings.com, annually honors the top catcher in college baseball. The Greater Wichita Sports Commission puts together a list of the top catchers throughout the season and narrows the list down to three finalists, which is announced on June 4. After a vote by the Division I coaches, the award winner will be named on June 28 this season.

Stanfield, a 5-foot-10 senior from Owasso, Okla., leads the Jayhawks with a .304 batting average and is hitting .306 in Big 12 games this year (11-for-36). The senior has three doubles and nine RBIs in 21 starts behind the plate and has thrown out 13-of-33 would-be base stealers. His 39.4 caught stealing percentage ranks second in the Big 12, behind only Texas A&M's Troy Stein (40 percent).

Stanfield collected three hits and an RBI in KU's win over No. 2 Texas A&M on Sunday and also threw out a runner on the bases.

KU (13-23) will host Baker University Tuesday night at Hoglund Ballpark. Fans can attend the game free of charge.