Tucson, Ariz. – Arizona junior catcher Cesar Salazar is one of 16 semifinalists for the 2018 Johnny Bench Award, the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced Wednesday. Salazar is one of two Pac-12 backstops to make the cut.
 
A native of Hermosillo, Mexico, Salazar has started 47 games for Arizona this season, including 44 behind the plate. Salazar is hitting .339 on the season with 10 doubles, one triple, one home run and 33 RBI. He's tied for the team lead in on-base percentage at .438. He's been hit by 13 pitches this season, which is tied for third in the Pac-12.
 
Salazar has been a stalwart for the Wildcats behind the plate this season. He has thrown out 12 of 23 potential base stealers and has a .992 fielding percentage entering this weekend's series against Arizona State.
 
The primary backstop for Arizona for the past three seasons, Salazar is hitting .298 for his career in 164 games and 147 starts. He has 160 career hits with 29 doubles, five triples and 95 RBI. He has seen an offensive improvement in each of his three seasons with the Wildcats, improving his batting average 55 points this season as a junior.
 
Salazar is the first Arizona catcher since Jett Bandy in 2010 to be selected as a Johnny Bench Award semifinalist. He and Oregon State's Adley Rutschman were the only two Pac-12 catchers to make this year's cut.
 
Catchers on the list were nominated by their schools. Statistics to compare them were pulled on May 9, 2018. A selection committee narrowed the list down to 16 semifinalists.

Ballots will be sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 4, 2018. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 21st Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 28, 2018.