UAA Communications photo by Hannah White
Whritenour Featured on Stopper of the Year Watch List
Thursday, April 23, 2026 | Baseball
UF closer Joshua Whritenour leads the SEC with seven saves this season.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gators redshirt freshman right-hander Joshua Whritenour was honored as one of 61 collegiate relief pitchers to earn mention on the 2026 Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List, as announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
In its 21st season of existence, the Stopper of the Year Award is handed out annually to the top relief pitcher in college baseball. There are 21 conferences represented on this year's list, with the Big Ten and SEC leading the way with eight each. The NCBWA will announce the finalists on Wednesday, June 3, with the winner being named on Friday, June 12, at the 2026 Men's College World Series.
Tied for the SEC lead with seven saves, Whritenour has exploded onto the scene in his rookie campaign at Florida. Grabbing hold of the closer role out of the gate, Whritenour has worked to a 36-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 23 1/3 innings pitched while ranking second on the team in appearances (17). The Tampa, Fla. native carries a 4.24 ERA. 1.29 WHIP and .207 batting average against into this upcoming weekend's series against No. 7 Texas A&M.
A complete list of the NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch List can be found here.
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In its 21st season of existence, the Stopper of the Year Award is handed out annually to the top relief pitcher in college baseball. There are 21 conferences represented on this year's list, with the Big Ten and SEC leading the way with eight each. The NCBWA will announce the finalists on Wednesday, June 3, with the winner being named on Friday, June 12, at the 2026 Men's College World Series.
Tied for the SEC lead with seven saves, Whritenour has exploded onto the scene in his rookie campaign at Florida. Grabbing hold of the closer role out of the gate, Whritenour has worked to a 36-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 23 1/3 innings pitched while ranking second on the team in appearances (17). The Tampa, Fla. native carries a 4.24 ERA. 1.29 WHIP and .207 batting average against into this upcoming weekend's series against No. 7 Texas A&M.
A complete list of the NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch List can be found here.
Follow the Gators
#GoGators
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