DALLAS – Tennessee’s Jake Rucker has been selected as one of 42 semifinalists for the 2021 Dick Howser Trophy, as announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association on Friday afternoon.
Now in its 34th year, the Dick Howser Trophy is awarded in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager, who died of brain cancer in 1987, and is regarded by many as college baseball’s most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser’s life.
Rucker has been one of the Vols’ most consistent players in a breakout junior campaign while helping lead Tennessee to its most successful regular season in over 15 years. The junior third baseman ranks among the national and SEC leaders in hits and doubles while ranking second on the team with a .344 batting average and 50 RBI.
The Greenbrier, Tennessee, native was named the SEC Co-Player of the Week on April 26 after a huge series at Texas A&M, tying a career high with three hits in all three games while also hitting four doubles and a home run in the series win over the Aggies. Rucker was also tabbed as a preseason third-team All-American by Baseball America.
The SEC led all conferences with 14 semifinalists named to this year’s list. The finalists will be announced on Thursday, June 10. Due to COVID-19 protocols at TD Ameritrade Stadium in downtown Omaha, the announcement of this year’s winner will be done via Zoom. The winner will be unveiled on the MLB Network.
The view the complete list of semifinalists, click HERE.
-UT Athletics
