Karson Bowen frames a pitch during the Gators' game against the Florida State Seminoles on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Hannah White
Bowen Headlines Buster Posey Award Midseason Watchlist
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | Baseball
Florida backstop Karson Bowen is one of seven SEC catchers on the 50-man watchlist.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gators backstop Karson Bowen was among the 50 players named to the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Midseason Watchlist, as announced by the Wichita Sports Commission on Wednesday morning.
For Bowen, this is his first time appearing on a Buster Posey Watchlist across his four-year career. Seven catchers from the Southeastern Conference made the 50-man cut.
Starting 25 games for the Gators this season highlighted by 18 behind the plate, Bowen has fielded at a .996 clip at catcher while throwing out four runners on the base paths. The Anaheim Hills, Calif. native has committed just one error behind the dish across 223 chances.
Offensively, Bowen has been a mainstay at the clean-up spot in the UF batting order. Through Florida's first 30 games of the season, he has slashed .278/.387/.444 with three home runs, six doubles, 21 runs scored, 15 RBI and three sacrifice flies. Bowen has drawn nearly as many walks (15) as strikeouts (18) while posting a gaudy .831 OPS in the batter's box.
Bowen and the No. 21 Gators host Ole Miss in a three-game SEC series from Thursday, April 2 through Saturday, April 4. Thursday night's series opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+. The first 1,000 fans through the gates on Thursday night will receive Florida Baseball quarter zips.
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For Bowen, this is his first time appearing on a Buster Posey Watchlist across his four-year career. Seven catchers from the Southeastern Conference made the 50-man cut.
Starting 25 games for the Gators this season highlighted by 18 behind the plate, Bowen has fielded at a .996 clip at catcher while throwing out four runners on the base paths. The Anaheim Hills, Calif. native has committed just one error behind the dish across 223 chances.
Offensively, Bowen has been a mainstay at the clean-up spot in the UF batting order. Through Florida's first 30 games of the season, he has slashed .278/.387/.444 with three home runs, six doubles, 21 runs scored, 15 RBI and three sacrifice flies. Bowen has drawn nearly as many walks (15) as strikeouts (18) while posting a gaudy .831 OPS in the batter's box.
Bowen and the No. 21 Gators host Ole Miss in a three-game SEC series from Thursday, April 2 through Saturday, April 4. Thursday night's series opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+. The first 1,000 fans through the gates on Thursday night will receive Florida Baseball quarter zips.
Follow the Gators
#GoGators
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