Tinsley Named to Johnny Bench Award Watch List

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced Tuesday (April 12) that Kansas junior catcher Michael Tinsley was one of 13 catchers added to the official watch list for the 2016 Johnny Bench Award presented by BaseballSavings.com.
 
The award is given annually to the top catcher in Division I collegiate baseball and the official watch list will continue to be updated until May 3, 2016. After that, the commission will announce its semifinalists on May 18, its finalists on June 6 and then present the award on June 30 in Wichita, Kansas.
 
“I think it is a really good compliment to Tinsley,” Price said. “He has put himself in a position to be recognized as one of the top guys behind the plate in the country. If he continues to play well he has a chance to make all of his dreams at KU – being a high draft pick – a reality.”
 
A six-foot, 195 pound native of Menlo Park, California, Tinsley leads the Jayhawks with a .333 batting average, including a team-high in hits (38), doubles (12) and RBIs (20). His 19 runs scored rank second on the team and he is 4-for-5 in stolen bases.
 
“To be recognized like this among some of the top talents in the country is a true honor,” Tinsley said. “The best I can hope for is that at the end of the season I am still among the top, but the first priority is to make sure the Jayhawks are as good as possible.”
 
Tinsley and the Jayhawks wrap up a midweek contest with Omaha, Wednesday, April 13, before hitting the road to resume conference play at Texas, April 15-17.
 
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