The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 3 Baseball’s Tinney recognized on Buster Posey Award preseason watch list
02.04.2026 | Baseball
Junior catcher was one of three finalists for the prestigious honor in 2025
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Longhorns junior Carson Tinney was among the 10 players selected to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, the Wichita State Sports Commission announced Wednesday morning.
One of three finalists for the prestigious honor in 2025, Tinney paced all Power Four bats in WRC+ (179) and wOBA (.535), while registering the third-highest OPS (1.251).
As a sophomore at Notre Dame, the consensus All-American posted a team-high .348 average with 17 home runs and 53 RBI. Tinney also led the Irish in runs (52), total bases (119), walks (34), on-base percentage (.498), slugging (.753) and multi-RBI efforts (17).
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound standout is aiming to become the first Buster Posey/Johnny Bench National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award winner in program history.
Last season, Texas backstop Rylan Galvan was named a finalist for the award, joining Taylor Teagarden (2005) as the lone Longhorns to be invited to the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet.
2026 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Watch List
Connor Capece — Creighton
Hunter Carns — Florida State
Austin Fawley — Ole Miss
Chase Fralick — Auburn
Ryder Helfrick — Arkansas
Vahn Lackey — Georgia Tech
Jack Natili — Cincinnati
Jack Quinlan — Army
Carson Tinney — Texas
Macon Winslow — North Carolina
