University of Minnesota Athletics

weber neels

Neels Named to 2026 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Midseason Watchlist

4/1/2026 9:09:00 AM | Baseball

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – University of Minnesota senior catcher Weber Neels was named to the 2026 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Midseason Watchlist, as announced by the Wichita Sports Commission this morning.

 

Neels is one of 50 collegiate catchers selected for the midseason watchlist for the award intended to honor the nation's best overall catcher across college baseball.

 

Neels is having a standout senior season for the Gophers, slashing a .351 batting average with a .606 slugging percentage and a .459 on-base percentage. Neels currently leads the squad with a 1.065 OPS, and ranks second on the team in total hits (33), home runs (6), and runs batted in (24) after appearing in 27 of 28 games in 2026. 

 

Neels and the Gophers return to the diamond this weekend for a three game conference series against the Hawkeyes. All the action is set to kickoff from Iowa City, Iowa on Friday, Apr. 3, at 4:02 PM.


 
Driven to the Diamond: Ty McDevitt
Friday, March 27
Highlights: Gophers 15, St. Thomas 5
Wednesday, March 25
Highlights: Gophers 14, Indiana 2
Sunday, March 22
Highlights: Gophers 1, Illinois 0
Saturday, March 14