Pitcher of the year semifinalists making heads spin with impressive WHIPs

LUBBOCK, Texas – The 2022 baseball season has seen some of the nation’s top arms go down early to injury. But it also has seen a new crop of arms rise up to take their places, some from teams anticipated before the season to be strong and others who have burst onto the scene.

That has created quite the list of semifinalists for the 2022 Pitcher of the Year Award, announced by the College Baseball Foundation.

“With just a few days until postseason, the quality of pitchers is just as robust as ever and I believe we are in for one of the toughest decisions we have ever had to make,” Pitcher of the Year Award co-chair Chris Snead said. “This year's winner will be a strong, strong performer.”

One thing in common among all 25 semifinalists on the award list is tremendous WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) numbers. Topping that list is one of the more dominant starters in the country on the best team in the country in Tennessee sophomore Chase Dollander. The ace of the Volunteers staff, Dollander has an impressive 0.76 WHIP to go with seven wins, a 2.54 ERA and 84 strikeouts.

Hot on his heels is his teammate, freshman Drew Beam, with a 0.80 ERA, eight wins, a similar 2.54 ERA and 54 strikeouts.

In fact, 19 of the 25 semifinalists have a WHIP under 1.00.

In terms of lowest ERA, that distinction goes to College of Charleston sophomore William Privette, who has compiled a 0.70 ERA as the closer for the Cougars. He also leads semifinalist list with 12 saves to go with three wins and a 0.85 WHIP.

Campbell sophomore Thomas Harrington has racked up 10 victories so far this year to go with a 1.37 ERA, an 0.84 WHIP and 101 strikeouts. Speaking of strikeouts, Florida State sophomore left-hander Parker Messick paces the field with 132 while earning six wins with a 2.94 ERA and 0.87 WHIP. He leads a pack of nine players on the semifinalist list with 100 or more strikeouts.

“We are seeing a lot of great hitters across college baseball this year, so that makes the season long performances of this group even more impressive,” said Brian Melakian, co-chair of the Pitcher of the Year Award. “Each of the young men on this list have been anchors for their teams.”

For more information on the Pitcher of the Year Award, visit the College Baseball Foundation website at www.collegebaseballhall.org.