LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State catcher Connor Burns continues to garner national attention in the final week of the season after named one of the 13 semifinalists for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award.

A 2022 Gold Glove finalist, the junior is having a career year in his draft-eligible season. At the plate, he is hitting .303 with a .957 OPS heading into the final weekend. He currently leads the team with a .585 slugging percentage while ranking second with 13 doubles, 12 home runs, and 43 RBI.

Behind the plate, the reigning Big West Defensive Player of the Year sports a .991 fielding percentage (five errors on 549 chances) while throwing out 50% of would-be base stealers. For his career, he owns a 49.3% caught stealing rate.

The finalists for the Buster Posey Award will be announced June 6, 2023 with the final vote taking place during the College World Series. The three finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced on June 29, 2023.