TicketsCINCINNATI – Cincinnati baseball junior catcher Jack Natili has been named to the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award preseason watch list, the Wichita Sports Commission announced Wednesday.
It’s the latest preseason honor for Natili, who received Preseason All-America honors from Perfect Game last month. The Bearcats’ catcher was also ranked No. 4 on D1Baseball’s Top 50 Catchers list.
A second team All-Big 12 pick last year, Natili had a terrific 2025 campaign. The Venetia, Pa. native started 47 games at catcher and hit .338 with nine home runs, 53 RBI, 14 doubles, 36 runs scored, and 13 HBP. He drove in 30 runs during Big 12 play, which ranked second on the team. Natili’s .451 on-base percentage ranked sixth in the Big 12 and first among all catchers in the conference. He went on a tear in the month of May, hitting .464 with four homers, 20 RBI, and six doubles while helping Cincinnati reach its first NCAA Tournament since 2019.
Natili was named to the Big 12 All-Tournament Team and earned Player and Newcomer of the Week honors on May 12. He hit .556 (10-for-18) across four games that week with two home runs and nine RBI.
Cincinnati opens its season with an eight-game road trip beginning Feb. 13-15 at Jacksonville State. Following a midweek contest at No. 9 Auburn on Feb. 17, the Bearcats will visit UAB for four games (Feb. 19-22).
UC’s home opener is set for Tuesday, Feb. 24 vs. Bowling Green at 4:00 p.m.
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