TicketsCINCINNATI – Redshirt junior outfielder Griffin Merritt was named the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of the Year Monday, joining Ian Happ (2015) as the only two Cincinnati baseball players to win the award. He was also named to the All-AAC First Team.
Four other Bearcats collected honors Monday, including redshirt junior outfielder Paul Komistek (All-AAC Second Team), redshirt sophomore infielder Ryan Nicholson (All-AAC Second Team), senior pitcher Beau Keathley (All-AAC Second Team) and sophomore pitcher Conner Linn (All-AAC Second Team).
UC's five all-conference nominees match the most it has ever had in the AAC, with five being honored in 2021 as well.
Merritt also becomes the fourth Bearcat to win a conference player of the year award. In addition to Ian Happ winning the same award in 2015, he joins Josh Harrison (2008 Big East Player of the Year) and Chris Holt (1995 Great Midwest MVP).
UC's left fielder had a year to remember, batting .309, hitting 17 home runs, driving in 47 RBIs, scoring 41 runs, slugging .676 and ending the regular season with a 1.053 OPS.
Heading into the AAC tournament, the Cincinnati native leads the AAC with 17 home runs, 0.35 home runs per game and a .676 slugging percentage. He ranks second in the conference in doubles (16), third in total bases (127) and fifth in RBIs (47).
"It's such a surreal feeling right now," said Merritt. "I grew up a Bearcats fan, both my parents went to UC. It's been a dream to play at UC. To bring such a prestigious award back to the University means everything to me. I'm very grateful."
With his inclusion on the All-AAC First Team, it marks the second-straight season Merritt earned a spot on an All-AAC team, as he was named to the 2021 All-AAC Second Team.
Also returning to the all-conference team is Komistek, who earned a spot on the All-AAC Second Team. He is also a repeat honoree, as he was named to the All-AAC First Team last season. The Knoxville, Tenn., native was the 2022 AAC Preseason Player of the Year.
Cincinnati's right fielder is hitting .332 and has started in all 52 games, leading the team with 68 hits and a .436 on-base percentage. His eight home runs rank fourth on the team and his 105 total bases rank second on the Bearcats, behind only Merritt.
Nicholson earned a spot on the All-AAC Second Team as a first baseman. His 11 home runs rank second on the team and fifth in the conference while his 11 doubles rank third on the team. The slick-fielding first baseman leads the team with 366 putouts, and he has a .997 fielding percentage.
Keathley earned his first all-conference honor in the AAC after leading UC and ranking fourth in the AAC in innings pitched (76) and strikeouts (83). Keathley was named AAC Pitcher of the Week on March 21 after throwing six innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out 12 batters against Saint Joseph's on March 19.
A transfer to UC, Keathley was also named to the All-Horizon League First Team in 2019 with the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.
In his first year as a full-time starter in 2022, Linn proved that he belonged. The Kokomo, Ind., native led the Bearcats in ERA (4.07) in 10 games started. He struck out 38 batters in 48.2 innings and notched five quality starts.
CINCINNATI HONOREES
OF Griffin Merritt – Player of the Year
OF Griffin Merritt – All-AAC First Team
OF Paul Komistek – All-AAC Second Team
1B Ryan Nicholson – All-AAC Second Team
P Beau Keathley – All-AAC Second Team
P Conner Linn – All-AAC Second Team
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up-to-the-minute updates, follow @GoBearcatsBASE on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change due to weather. All schedule changes will be announced on Twitter at @GoBearcatsBASE.
Four other Bearcats collected honors Monday, including redshirt junior outfielder Paul Komistek (All-AAC Second Team), redshirt sophomore infielder Ryan Nicholson (All-AAC Second Team), senior pitcher Beau Keathley (All-AAC Second Team) and sophomore pitcher Conner Linn (All-AAC Second Team).
UC's five all-conference nominees match the most it has ever had in the AAC, with five being honored in 2021 as well.
Merritt also becomes the fourth Bearcat to win a conference player of the year award. In addition to Ian Happ winning the same award in 2015, he joins Josh Harrison (2008 Big East Player of the Year) and Chris Holt (1995 Great Midwest MVP).
UC's left fielder had a year to remember, batting .309, hitting 17 home runs, driving in 47 RBIs, scoring 41 runs, slugging .676 and ending the regular season with a 1.053 OPS.
Heading into the AAC tournament, the Cincinnati native leads the AAC with 17 home runs, 0.35 home runs per game and a .676 slugging percentage. He ranks second in the conference in doubles (16), third in total bases (127) and fifth in RBIs (47).
"It's such a surreal feeling right now," said Merritt. "I grew up a Bearcats fan, both my parents went to UC. It's been a dream to play at UC. To bring such a prestigious award back to the University means everything to me. I'm very grateful."
With his inclusion on the All-AAC First Team, it marks the second-straight season Merritt earned a spot on an All-AAC team, as he was named to the 2021 All-AAC Second Team.
Also returning to the all-conference team is Komistek, who earned a spot on the All-AAC Second Team. He is also a repeat honoree, as he was named to the All-AAC First Team last season. The Knoxville, Tenn., native was the 2022 AAC Preseason Player of the Year.
Cincinnati's right fielder is hitting .332 and has started in all 52 games, leading the team with 68 hits and a .436 on-base percentage. His eight home runs rank fourth on the team and his 105 total bases rank second on the Bearcats, behind only Merritt.
Nicholson earned a spot on the All-AAC Second Team as a first baseman. His 11 home runs rank second on the team and fifth in the conference while his 11 doubles rank third on the team. The slick-fielding first baseman leads the team with 366 putouts, and he has a .997 fielding percentage.
Keathley earned his first all-conference honor in the AAC after leading UC and ranking fourth in the AAC in innings pitched (76) and strikeouts (83). Keathley was named AAC Pitcher of the Week on March 21 after throwing six innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out 12 batters against Saint Joseph's on March 19.
A transfer to UC, Keathley was also named to the All-Horizon League First Team in 2019 with the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.
In his first year as a full-time starter in 2022, Linn proved that he belonged. The Kokomo, Ind., native led the Bearcats in ERA (4.07) in 10 games started. He struck out 38 batters in 48.2 innings and notched five quality starts.
CINCINNATI HONOREES
OF Griffin Merritt – Player of the Year
OF Griffin Merritt – All-AAC First Team
OF Paul Komistek – All-AAC Second Team
1B Ryan Nicholson – All-AAC Second Team
P Beau Keathley – All-AAC Second Team
P Conner Linn – All-AAC Second Team
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up-to-the-minute updates, follow @GoBearcatsBASE on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change due to weather. All schedule changes will be announced on Twitter at @GoBearcatsBASE.