Michael Byrne Named NCBWA Stopper of the Year
Saturday, June 16, 2018 | Baseball
OMAHA, Neb.—Florida junior Michael Byrne was named the 2018 Stopper of the Year on Saturday at TD Ameritrade Park. The award is presented annually by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association to the nation's top relief pitcher.
Byrne is the first UF player to win the award since its inception in 2005.
The junior from Orlando is a two-time All-American and All-SEC First Team selection. Byrne holds the school record for saves in a season (19 in 2017) and saves in a career (34).
Byrne has been dominant in 2018, posting a 1.59 earned run average with 15 saves in 34 appearances. He has 60 strikeouts to just five walks in 56.2 innings pitched while limiting opponents to a .197 batting average.
In the Gainesville Super Regional, Byrne appeared in all three games with 10 strikeouts in 6.1 innings. He picked up the win in the decisive Game 3 with four shutout innings out of the bullpen to lead the Gators to the College World Series for the fourth year in a row.
Byrne has a 1.88 earned run average in 85 career appearances. He has 168 strikeouts with only 23 walks in 148.1 innings in three years at Florida.
Only two players have been finalists for the Stopper of the Year Award: Shaun Anderson (2016) and Byrne (2017 and 2018).
Byrne was selected in the 14th Round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds.
Byrne is the first UF player to win the award since its inception in 2005.
The junior from Orlando is a two-time All-American and All-SEC First Team selection. Byrne holds the school record for saves in a season (19 in 2017) and saves in a career (34).
Byrne has been dominant in 2018, posting a 1.59 earned run average with 15 saves in 34 appearances. He has 60 strikeouts to just five walks in 56.2 innings pitched while limiting opponents to a .197 batting average.
In the Gainesville Super Regional, Byrne appeared in all three games with 10 strikeouts in 6.1 innings. He picked up the win in the decisive Game 3 with four shutout innings out of the bullpen to lead the Gators to the College World Series for the fourth year in a row.
Byrne has a 1.88 earned run average in 85 career appearances. He has 168 strikeouts with only 23 walks in 148.1 innings in three years at Florida.
Only two players have been finalists for the Stopper of the Year Award: Shaun Anderson (2016) and Byrne (2017 and 2018).
Byrne was selected in the 14th Round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds.
Players Mentioned
RHP
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