Special to Sports News Highlights

(SNH) — Each year, at the conclusion of the NCAA Division 1 baseball season, the College Baseball Foundation honors the nation's top shortstop with the Brooks Wallace award.

The honor is named for former Texas Tech shortstop Brooks Wallace, who played for the Red Raiders from 1977 to 1980 before dying of leukemia at age 27.

Here’s a look at 10 current leading candidates for the award (all stats as of May 9):

Jalin Florres, Texas, Sophomore

The sophomore is hitting .345 with 16 home runs (second in the Big 12) this season to go along with 44 RBIs and 45 runs scored in 49 starts at short. He has an on-base percentage of .408 with a .680 slugging percentage and leads the team in doubles with 18. Flores is also a solid defender with a .970 fielding percentage and just 6 errors all season with 128 assists and 21 double plays turned.

Jon Jon Gazdar, Austin Peay, Junior

Gazdar has been a menace at the plate this season in the Atlantic Sun conference. He ranks second in batting average (.403), second in hits (81), third in runs scored (61) and has struck out just 12 times all season with 10 home runs in 201 at-bats. He also adds a .490 on-base percentage and a .646 slugging percentage to his resume along with 9 stolen bases in 10 attempts.

The junior has committed 7 fielding errors this season with 118 assists and 18 double plays turned with a .958 fielding percentage.

Kyle DeBarge, Louisiana, Junior

The junior shortstop has been raking in the Sun Belt this season, hitting .348 with 17 home runs, 56 RBIs, 51 runs, a .411 on-base percentage and a .691 slugging percentage.

His glove does leave a little to be desired, as he’s committed 14 errors for a .935 fielding percentage with 137 assists.

Josh Kuroda-Grauer, Rutgers, Junior

Kuroda-Grauer has been a tough out in the Big Ten this season, hitting .438 with a .509 on-base percentage and a .619 slugging percentage. He leads the Big Ten in batting average and on-base percentage, while ranking second in stolen bases (22) and third in doubles (18).

The junior also plays the most solid defense of all the shortstop candidates this season with a .980 fielding percentage, 4 errors, 140 assists and 26 double plays turned.

Garrett Howe, Samford, Senior

The left-handed hitting senior ranks third in the Southern Conference in batting average (.389), first in runs scored (65), fifth in walks (39) and fifth in stolen bases (21 in 23 attempts). Howe also boasts a .506 on-base percentage with 8 home runs, 15 doubles and 2 triples for a .622 slugging percentage.

He has a .944 fielding percentage with 10 errors, 102 assists and 21 double plays turned.

Kaelen Culpepper, Kansas State, Junior

While Culpepper can compete with Flores’ lofty stats in the Big-12, he has been a solid all-around performer this season for the Wildcats. He is hitting .309 with 8 home runs, 40 RBIs, 39 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in 18 attempts.

The junior has an on-base percentage of .396 with a .531 slugging and a .961 fielding percentage this season.

Jacob Hinderleider, Clemson, Senior

Hinderleider’s consistent production at the plate has helped No. 2 Clemson to a 37-10 record this season. The senior is hitting .333 with 10 home runs, 49 RBIs and 31 runs scored with an on-base percentage of .415 and a slugging percentage of .598.

He has also been dependable with the glove, with a .968 fielding percentage, 9 errors and 81 assists in 47 games.

Michael Hallquist, Ball State, Junior

The junior in the Mid-American conference is hitting .330 with 46 RBIs, 45 runs scored 15 doubles and a .392 on-base percentage with a .680 slugging. He also has the second-most home runs among D-1 shortstops with 17.

Hallquist has been solid all year defensively with a .968 fielding percentage in 48 starts.

Lucas Loos, Eastern Illinois, Senior

Loos has hit the most home runs of any active D-1 shortstop this season with 18. He also has great all-around stats at the plate with a .359 batting average, 48 RBIs, 44 runs scored, a .430 on-base percentage and a .706 slugging.

In 45 games, the Eastern Illinois shortstop has committed 6 errors and has a fielding percentage of .952.

Colton Becker, Morehead State, Senior

Rounding out the top ten is Colton Becker of Morehead State. He is hitting .352 this season with 11 home runs, 51 RBIs, 58 runs scored and a .432 on-base percentage. He leads the team with 19 doubles and 24 stolen bases, helping the team to a 28-20 record.

Becker has also been decent with the glove, committing 9 errors this season for a .950 fielding percentage.

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