May 16, 2014

ATHENS, Ga. — Kentucky star A.J. Reed, the NCAA leader in homers, slugging and OPS, and the Southeastern Conference leader in wins and innings pitched, has been named one of 35 semifinalists for the Dick Howser Trophy, given to the top player in college baseball, it was announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

A native of Terre Haute, Ind., Reed is also a member of the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award 30-Man Midseason Watch List. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound left-handed pitcher/first baseman is one of six SEC players on the NCBWA Howser Trophy Semifinalists list, joining Will Allen (Ole Miss), Austin Anderson (Ole Miss), Walker Buehler (Vanderbilt), Aaron Nola (LSU) and Joel Seddon (South Carolina).

Reed is piecing together one of the most historical seasons in college baseball history, leading the NCAA in homers (21), slugging (.763) and OPS (1.255). He also paces the SEC in RBI (65), total bases (145), walks (41), wins (10) and innings pitched (98). Reed ranks fourth in the SEC in average (.353), seeking to become the SEC’s first, and only, triple-crown winner since Rafael Palmeiro in 1984.

A first-team preseason All-America selection by Baseball America, Reed pitched Kentucky to a SEC Tournament clinching win at Georgia on Thursday in the series opener. He tossed eight-shutout, three-hit innings, while also going 4-for-6 at the plate with a double and two RBI. With his 10-2 record and 2.11 ERA, Reed is the fifth player in program history to reach double-digit wins, with his ERA ranking seventh in the SEC.

Kentucky (31-21, 13-15 SEC) returns to action on Friday at Georgia, seeking to claim the series win at 7 p.m. ET at Foley Field.