TUCSON, Ariz. — Two outstanding members of the Arizona Baseball bullpen from last season, right-handed pitchers Casey Hintz and Tony Pluta, have earned spots on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List, the organization announced this afternoon.

Wednesday's watch list selections were the first such honors in the careers of Hintz and Pluta, both of whom were Cape Cod League All-Stars this past summer. They are two of 76 players named to the preseason watch list.

Hintz, a junior Illinois native, was given Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition in 2024 following an impressive sophomore campaign. The sidearm right-hander led the Wildcats pitching staff with 27 appearances while posting a 3-1 record with a 4.13 ERA, two saves, and 24 strikeouts across 32.2 innings. He held opponents without an earned run in 16-of-27 appearances and struck out multiple batters four times.

Pluta, also a junior Illinois native, was another key piece of the Wildcats bullpen last season and enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2024. Across 25 relief appearances and 29.1 innings of work he worked a 2-1 record, a 3.07 ERA, a pair of saves, and 21 strikeouts. Pluta limited opposing hitters last year to a .213 batting average, held opponents without an earned run in 20-of-25 outings, and did not allow a hit 11 times. His performances were dialed up a notch during conference play, where he went 1-0 with one save and a 1.98 ERA.

Hintz, Pluta and the Wildcats kick off the 2025 season on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Shriners Children's College Showdown in Arlington, Texas where they will face off against Ole Miss, No. 15 Clemson, and Louisville. They return to Hi Corbett Field for their home opener on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 2:00 p.m. MST against New Mexico.
 

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