Kansas Reliever Smyth Named to Watch List

Dec. 5, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas senior relief pitcher Paul Smyth has been named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List by the College Baseball Foundation. The Wallace Award is presented to the nation’s top collegiate baseball player in conjunction with the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s annual induction festivities.

The 2009 award banquet will be held Thursday, July 3, in the United Spirit Arena on the campus of Texas Tech University.

Smyth, a 6-foot right-handed pitcher from Atascadero, Calif., was selected All-Big 12 Honorable Mention as well as academic all-conference last season. He posted a 5-5 record with 10 saves and a 3.73 ERA in 60 1/3 innings pitched. He struck out 51 and walked just 12. Smyth is currently second in career saves at Kansas with 18 in three seasons in the Crimson and Blue.

Smyth is one of 16 baseball players from the Big 12 named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List.

Past winners of the Brooks Wallace Award include current major leaguers David Price (Vanderbilt, 2007), Alex Gordon (Nebraska, 2005) and Kurt Suzuki (Cal State-Fullerton, 2004).