Josh Rivera is the front-runner for the Brooks Wallace Award while Jac Caglianone is a leading candidate for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year.
Gainesville, Fla. – University of Florida infielder Josh Rivera<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/josh-rivera/15504> was tabbed to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List while first baseman/left-handed pitcher Jac Caglianone<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/jac-caglianone/15489> was named to the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Midseason Watch List on Sunday.
The announcements mark the first-ever appearances on either list for Rivera and Caglianone.
Although the John Olerud Award speaks for itself, the Brooks Wallace Award is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate shortstop. Arguably the current front-runner for the honor, Rivera is one of 101 shortstops to make the watch list. Named for former Texas Tech shortstop Brooks Wallace (1997-1980) who died of leukemia at the age of 27, the award recognizes outstanding defensive play as much as it does production at the plate.
Rivera leads the watch list with 14 home runs while his 53 RBI rank second. The Avon Park, Fla. native is slashing a robust .387/.478/.720 and fielding at a .971 clip. One of two Gators to start all 41 games, Rivera owns 50 runs on top of a team-high 11 stolen bases and has drawn more walks (26) than strikeouts (18) across 150 at bats.
Caglianone is one of 47 players to make the cut for the John Olerud Watch List, which is named for the former Washington State standout who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s. The award will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation later this summer.
Bursting onto the two-way scene early this year, Caglianone has not slowed down as evidenced by a nation-leading 23 home runs. The sophomore first baseman and left-handed pitcher owns a .375/.427/.875 batting line with 36 extra-base hits, 60 RBI, 49 runs and two stolen bases. On the mound, the Tampa, Fla. native is 4-2 on the year with a 5.27 ERA and .188 batting average against, striking out 47 batters in 41 innings over nine weekend starts.
Rivera, Caglianone and the Gators have four home games on the slate this week, hosting North Florida on Tuesday before welcoming Missouri to town for a three-game weekend series.
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