MSU’s Young named to Stopper of the Year watch list

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Missouri State junior pitcher Bryan Young was one of 70 players named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s initial watch list for its 2016 Stopper of the Year Award, given annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball, the organization announced Monday.

Young, who was one of five finalists for last year’s NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, became Missouri State's 10th first-team All-American after setting a school record with 16 saves in 2015. The right-hander from Kansas City led the Missouri Valley Conference and ranked third nationally in saves while logging a perfect 7-0 record and a 1.30 earned run average. He also held the opposition to a .197 batting average over 41.2 innings spanning 30 outings.

A 2016 preseason All-America choice of both the NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball, Young was nearly un-hittable in Valley play last spring, registering a conference-high six saves and five wins while allowing just one unearned run on eight hits over 19.1 innings en route to earning first-team All-MVC recognition. The MSU closer earned first-team All-America recognition from the NCBWA, as well as third-team honors from both Perfect Game and Collegiate Baseball at the conclusion of the season.

Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information/media relations contacts. The 2016 Stopper of the Year Watch List will be updated with a mid-season release on Wednesday, April 27, including the national saves leaders. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, June 8, prior to start of NCAA Super Regional competition.

The NCBWA's All-America Committee will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced at the 2016 College World Series.

Texas hurler J. Brent Cox won the inaugural Stopper of the Year Award in 2005, with Don Czyz of Kansas claiming the honor in 2006 and Luke Prihoda of Sam Houston State winning it in 2007. Georgia’s Joshua Fields topped the field in 2008, San Diego State’s Addison Reed grabbed the honor in 2009 and Texas’ Chance Ruffin earned the honor in 2010. The Longhorns’ Corey Knebel won in 2011, with Southeastern Louisiana's Stefan Lopez picking up the honor in 2012. UCLA’s Berg was crowned the winner in 2013, Louisville’s Nick Burdi took home the 2014 honor and Berg became the award's first two-time winner in 2015.

The NCBWA, founded in 1962, presents the Dick Howser Trophy to the nation's top player. It also selects All-America Teams for all Divisions, a Division I Freshman All-American team, Division I and III Players of the Week, Division I District Players of the Year and Division III Players of the Year.

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