WICHITA, Kan. — University of San Francisco junior catcher Thomas McCarthy has been named to the 2021 Buster Posey Award Watch List, the award given annually to the top NCAA Division I collegiate catcher, as announced Tuesday by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.
 
McCarthy has appeared in 74 games with 45 starts as a catcher for the Dons since coming to The Hilltop in 2018. He moved into the primary starting catcher position at the start of this season after learning behind other Buster Posey Award Watch List honoree Robert Emery (2019, '20) and Riley Helland (2018). San Francisco has had a catcher on the national award watch list since at least 2017, including McCarthy, Emery, Helland, and Dominic Miroglio (2017).
 
The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, whom will be announced May 20. Ballots will be sent to the national voting committee at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 7. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the
College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at a date that is yet to be determined.
 
McCarthy has developed into an elite defensive catcher for the Dons. In nearly 400 career chances, he's only committed two errors, carrying a .995 career fielding percentage. McCarthy has collected 22 hits, 11 walks, 11 runs scored, 10 RBIs and two stolen bases in his career with USF.
 
McCarthy and the Dons face nationally ranked UC Santa Barbara in a four-game series starting Friday. Fans can find all live coverage links on USFDons.com.