Three Hogs Named Semifinalists for Dick Howser Trophy

DALLAS – Three Razorbacks are in the running for the 2021 Dick Howser Trophy.

Arkansas standouts Christian Franklin, Brady Slavens and Kevin Kopps were named semifinalists for the award given to the top player in collegiate baseball, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) announced Friday.

The Razorbacks are one of two teams with three semifinalists on the list, which includes 42 candidates hailing from 13 different conferences and 33 different schools. Arkansas and Vanderbilt led the way with three semifinalists represented on the list.

Franklin is hitting .299 with a team-best 12 homers and 50 RBI through 50 games this season, leading the Hogs in on-base percentage (.428), slugging (.587) and stolen bases (9). The consensus preseason All-American roams the outfield for Arkansas, playing errorless defense in center field with three assists on the year.

Slavens has hit in the middle of the Razorback lineup all year long, swatting 11 homers and driving in a team-best 54 runs on the year. The left-handed hitter is slashing .294/.353/.552 while posting a .994 fielding percentage at first base.

Kopps, meanwhile, is the college baseball’s most dominant pitcher this season. The right-handed reliver is an unblemished 10-0 with a nation-best 0.75 ERA in 60.1 innings of work, striking out 97 batters while allowing only five runs on the year.

The finalists will be announced on Thursday, June 10. Due to COVID-19 protocols at TD Ameritrade Stadium in downtown Omaha, the home of the College World Series for the ninth year, the announcement of this year’s winner will be done via Zoom. The winner will be unveiled on MLB Network and then, a press conference with the winner will be held after the announcement is made. The date and time for the announcement will be released in the near future.

The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager, who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball’s most prestigious award.  Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser’s life.

Former Razorback outfielder Andrew Benintendi took home the award in 2015.

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