University of Utah's junior left-hander and closer Micah Ashman has been named to the Midseason Watch List for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in college baseball. Ashman, a native of Sandy, Utah, leads all Power Conference pitchers with 10 saves in the 2024 season, ranking third overall in the nation and nearing the single-season program record at Utah, with 19 career saves. He has made 19 appearances this season, with a 2.53 ERA in 21.1 innings pitched, striking out 20 batters and holding opposing hitters to a .224 batting average. His performance has garnered attention, as he's among the top 25 relief pitchers in the country according to D1Baseball.com. Finalists for the award will be announced on June 5, with the winner revealed on June 14 at the Men's College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

By the Numbers
  • Ashman has 10 saves in the 2024 season, ranking third overall in the nation.
  • He has a career-high of 19 saves, the most of all active pitchers in the Pac-12 Conference.
  • In 21.1 innings pitched, he has garnered 20 strikeouts against just three walks.
  • Ashman holds a 2.53 ERA and has not allowed an inherited runner to score in any of his 10 saves this season.
State of Play
  • Ashman's outstanding performance has placed him on the Midseason Watch List for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award.
  • He is a significant asset to the University of Utah as they return home for a three-game Pac-12 Conference series against UCLA from April 26-28.
  • There is high anticipation for the announcement of the finalists on June 5 and the winner on June 14 at the Men's College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
What's Next

The announcement of the finalists and the winner for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award will be eagerly anticipated in the upcoming months, with high expectations for Ashman's performance in the upcoming Pac-12 Conference series against UCLA.

Bottom Line

Micah Ashman's stellar performance has propelled him to the forefront of consideration for the prestigious NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, marking him as a valuable asset for the University of Utah and a significant contender in college baseball. His exceptional skills and promising achievements position him as a compelling figure to watch in the future of collegiate baseball pitching.