Former Bengal Turner wins Johnny Bench Award as nation's top catcher
Former LSU Eunice baseball player and Eunice native Stuart Turner was named the nation's top collegiate catcher for the 2013 season when he was announced as the Johnny Bench Award recipient by the Greater Wichita Sports Commission and BaseballSavings.com at the 16th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on Thursday night.
Turner, a junior at Ole Miss, was selected as one of the three finalists from a watch list of more than 70 catchers before being named the winner on Thursday night, chosen over fellow finalists Zane Evans of Georgia Tech and Mitchell Garver of New Mexico.
"We are extremely proud of Stuart and the accomplishments he has received throughout his career. He deserves everything he is getting as you couldn't find a better person," LSU Eunice head baseball coach Jeff Willis said.
"He has represented our program with tremendous character and dignity and it will be exciting to follow his professional baseball career with the Minnesota Twins," Willis added.
This marks the second consecutive season that a player from the Southeastern Conference has won the award after Florida's Mike Zunnino claimed the honor in 2012.
One of the top players in the SEC this season, Turner helped Ole Miss to a 38-24 record and a NCAA Tournament appearance as he earned All-America honors and was named the Golden Glove winner at catcher by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Turner performed at a high level both offensively and defensively for the Rebels this season, most impressively with his defense behind the plate, throwing out 51 percent of runners this season (21-of-41 base runners). That mark led the SEC in that category and all Bench Award finalists.
At the plate, Turner hit .374 for the season with 51 RBI, 44 runs scored, 15 doubles and five home runs.
During his time with the Bengals, Turner was named national Defensive Player of the Year and was named the Most Valuable Player in the 2012 NJCAA Division II World Series on the way to the team's 2012 title.
Turner was also selected as a Rawlings Gold Glove winner and an Academic All-American selection during his Bengal career.
An All-SEC first team selection this year, Turner was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 2013 MLB Draft with the 78th overall pick back on June 7.
