Following an unforgettable start to his Longhorns career, Carson Tinney is making national headlines. The star catcher has been named one of the 16 semifinalists for the 2026 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. The honor is given each year to the college baseball’s top catcher.
In 52 games this season, the Colorado native has posted a .321 batting average and driven in 54 runs. Through 187 at-bats, he has 30 extra-base hits and has only grounded into one double play. While the future MLB draft pick is playing in a new conference, he has not looked out of place.
Entering play on Monday, Tinney ranked in the top five in multiple categories in the SEC. That included home runs, walks, and OPS. He also ranks in the top ten in on-base percentage, runs, and RBI. That is not a bad way to make a good first impression.
While has Tinney thrived at plate, he has been just as good in the field. He owns a .996 fielding percentage which is one of the best in the SEC. With the former Notre Dame star getting most of the starts behind the plate, Texas has the third-lowest FIP and the sixth-best WHIP in the nation.
If Tinney were to win the Buster Posey Award, he would be making history. No player in program history has ever taken home the honor. Last year, Ryan Galvan came close when he was named a finalist.
Regardless of how voting plays out, Tinney has proven that he is one of the best catchers in the nation. His ultimate goal is to win a national title, but taking home the Buster Posey award would not be a bad way to end the season.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns catcher named Buster Posey Award semifinalist
Reporting by Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
