Shortstop Brodie Kresser has earned himself a spot on the Top 100 Watch List for the Brooks Wallace Award. The starting shortstop for the Mountaineers is having a great season so far.
The Brooks Wallace Award is awarded to the top shortstop in college baseball. Last Wednesday, the WVU Baseball X account posted the news of Kresser being named to the Top 100 Watch List.
One of the nation's top shortstops, Kresser named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List!
— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) April 18, 2025
📰 https://t.co/I6ihZRb90W#HailWV | @brodiekresser pic.twitter.com/KjIpyY4sN6
Kresser is hitting at a batting average of .301 this season, and the Jesup, Iowa, native has been penciled in at various spots across the batting lineup. First-year head coach Steve Sabins isn’t afraid to use Kresser in different positions, as Kresser has seen his at-bats in the leadoff spot, as the number nine-hole hitter, and just about everywhere in-between.
This is the second year that Kresser has been an important piece in the WVU lineup. Last season, sophomore Kresser was asked to step into a bigger role when WVU baseball legend JJ Wetherholt dealt with some hamstring issues.
With Wetherholt missing a lot of action. Kresser recorded 42 starts and appeared in 47 games. Mainly getting reps at shortstop (for the injured Wetherholt) and second base, Kresser showcased his fine glove up the middle with a .971 fielding percentage.
Flash-forward to this season, Kresser is still an above-average fielder but also has added some pop and a good batting average. In addition to his average at the plate so far this season, he has also added three home runs and 28 RBIs. With one more home run, he will tie his season best mark from 2024, but already has surpassed his RBI total from last season (24 RBIs). WVU (34-4) still has a decent portion of its schedule left, with 15 regular season games left on the schedule.
Kresser is as consistent as they come for the Mountaineers this season. He has started 36 of the 38 games played. Only missing two games at this point in the season proves that Sabins trusts him to be ultra reliable piece of the lineup. Only slugger Skylar King (38 games started) and all-time home run leader Grant Hussey (37 games started and appeared in 38 games) have appeared in more games than Kresser.
It is always a good sign when individual players are receiving awards and recognition for their success on the field. With two Big 12 Pitchers of the Week winners (Griffin Kirn and Chase Meyer) and one Big 12 Player of the Week winner (Logan Sauve), accolades have followed the Mountaineers this season. The coaching staff and players all seem focused on making another Super Regional appearance with hopes of reaching Omaha, but it does not hurt to have guys getting awards and recognition along the way.