LUBBOCK, Texas – The College Baseball Foundation announced its semifinalists for the Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nation's best shortstop, on Wednesday. Incredible play at the plate and in the field earned New Mexico State's
Joey Ortiz a spot on the award's semifinalist list.
Ortiz has been on a tear all season long helping the Aggies to a first-place spot in the Western Athletic Conference during the final week of the regular season. The junior was named the WAC Hitter of the Week on April 15 and into the last three games of the regular season he leads the entire NCAA in hits (97), runs scored (78), runs batted in (82), and triples (10), while also ranking second in batting average (.433) and total bases (165) and he sits in fourth in doubles (24).
His play had him recognized by Aaron Fitt and D1 Baseball as one of the top shortstops in the nation to start the year and Baseball America said, "Ortiz is earning a reputation as a must-see defender out West. Some are saying he is one of the top defensive players they've ever scouted." His play at shortstop is unrivaled as he posts a .978 fielding percentage with 166 assists and 28 double plays turned.
The award, sponsored by Mizuno, honors the nation's top shortstop and is set to be presented this summer by the College Baseball Foundation. The honor is named for former Texas Tech shortstop Brooks Wallace, who played for the Red Raiders to from 1977 to 1980.
2019 BROOKS WALLACE AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Name Class School Conference
Jack Dunn Fr. Northwestern Big Ten
Tyler Fitzgerald Jr. Louisville ACC
Patrick Frick Jr. Wake Forest ACC
Nick Grande Jr. Stony Brook American East
Grae Kessinger Jr. Ole Miss SEC
Joey Ortiz Jr. New Mexico State WAC
Ethan Paul So. Vanderbilt Pac-12
Bryson Stott Jr. UNLV Mountain West
Luke Waddell So. Georgia Tech ACC
Will Wilson Jr. N. Carolina State ACC
Trevor Schwecke Jr. UW-Milwaukee Horizon
Chris Givin Sr. Xavier Big East
Dalton Shuffield So. Texas State Sun Belt
Michael Coritz Jr. Navy Patriot
