Little Rock shortstop Jerdy Lopez has been named to the 2026 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award Watch List. The award honors the nation's top player at the shortstop position and will be presented later this year by the College Baseball Foundation.
"We are proud that Jerdy has been named to this prestigious watch list," head coach Chris Curry said. "Jerdy works very hard and helps our team tremendously as a plus defender."
Lopez, a junior from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is a transfer from Western Oklahoma CC and has started all 12 games for the Trojans this season. He has recorded eight hits, three RBI and two stolen bases while posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage on 44 chances and helping turn eight double plays.
The top 100 shortstops in the country were announced Wednesday, led by several players putting up tremendous offensive numbers. Because the award reflects more than just offense, however, numerous players on the list are also excelling defensively.
"Our staff is excited to get another year started looking for that special player to represent Brooks' Award," said Larry Wallace, co-chair of the Brooks Wallace Award. "We will dig deep to find the personal qualities as well as the physical attributes that best exemplify what we look for in the Brooks Wallace Award winner. It's early, but this list is already shaping up to be a competitive race with some big numbers from some new faces and some familiar names as well."
The Brooks Wallace Award is one of four honors presented by the College Baseball Foundation. The CBF also presents the John Olerud Two-Way Player Award, the National Pitcher of the Week Award and the Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Week Award.
"With the season now in full swing, there are so many deserving candidates for our many awards," said Chris Snead, CBF Awards Chair. "This is just the beginning of this process that culminates with our announcements in Omaha."
For more information on the Brooks Wallace Award or any CBF honors, visit the College Baseball Foundation website at www.collegebaseballhall.org.
