Familiar names, newcomers highlight 2023 Pitcher of the Year watch list

By College Baseball Foundation | April 19, 2023

LUBBOCK, Texas – A dominant fireballer on the No. 1 team in the nation and a 2022 finalist on a team right on its heels highlight the 2023 watch list for the College Baseball Foundation Pitcher of the Year.

But Paul Skenes from LSU and Rhett Lowder from Wake Forest are just two of a large, talented group of 61 pitchers that made the list, which also includes three players other than Skenes and Lowder who were on the watch list in 2022.

The award will be presented later this year by the College Baseball Foundation.

“This watch list may be the most competitive that we have ever had to consider,” said Chris Snead, award co-chair. “There are a number of terrific pitchers that we had to make difficult decisions about. However, some of those initially left off the list may be able to pitch their way back into consideration.”

Skenes, who as a sophomore at the Air Force Academy a year ago took home the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, transferred to LSU in the offseason to concentrate on pitching, and it has paid off in a big way not only for him but for the Tigers. On the year, he has compiled six wins to go with a 1.69 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and he has recorded 104 strikeouts.

Lowder, a finalist for the 2022 award that eventually went to Oregon State standout Cooper Hjerpe, has Wake Forest poised to finish with one of the best seasons in school history. He also has six victories and a 1.84 ERA while striking out 52 and compiling a 1.02 WHIP.

The three other pitchers making the 2023 watch list who were semifinalists last year are Drew Beam from Tennessee, Devin Futrell from Vanderbilt and Tanner Hall from Southern Mississippi.

Beam, one of the trio of talented starting pitchers for the Volunteers this season, has earned four wins on the year to go with a 2.52 ERA and 1.2 WHIP. He also has struck out 41 batters on the season. Futrell has the Commodores ranked in the top five by compiling a 2.21 ERA and 0.84 WHIP to go with six wins and 33 strikeouts, and Hall has won seven games with a 2.29 ERA and 1.15 WHIP to go with 51 strikeouts.

Grant Rogers of McNeese and Omar Melendez of Alabama State lead the watch list honorees with eight wins apiece while UT-San Antonio reliever Simon Miller leads the watch list in both saves (six) and ERA (0.50).

“We are seeing a lot of strong offensive performances across the country this year,” said Brian Melakian, award co-chair. “With that said, what this group of pitchers is accomplishing is truly impressive. They have separated themselves as the best of the best right from the start of the season.”

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

2023 NATIONAL PITCHER OF THE YEAR AWARD WATCH LIST

Name, Class, School, Conference