Valparaiso University sophomore catcher Scott Kapers (Schererville, Ind. / Mount Carmel) was named to the official 2017 Johnny Bench Award Watch list on Thursday.

Kapers is one of only two Horizon League players on the list, joining Milwaukee junior Daulton Varsho. The award is given annually to the top Division I collegiate catcher.

The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, who will be announced on May 17. Three finalists will be announced on June 5 and the winner will be unveiled on June 29.

Kapers has cut down four of the six runners who have attempted to steal against him this season. He got his year off to a favorable offensive start when he launched a three-run homer in his first at-bat of the year on Feb. 17 at Western Kentucky.

Kapers threw out 32.7 percent of would-be base stealers last year as a freshman.

“He’s the best defensive catcher in the league,” Valpo head coach Brian Schmack said. “He was a game-changer for us last year. He controls the running game with his throws. He’s aggressive; he’s not afraid to back-pick. He’s a confident kid and he’s not afraid to voice his opinion, which is good because he’s usually correct.”

2017 Johnny Bench Award presented by BaseballSavings.com Watch List

Hunter Allen   JR Alabama State University

Bryndan Arredondo  SR Lamar University

Justin Bardwell  SO Fordham University

Jared Barnes   JR University of South Alabama

Joey Bart  SO Georgia Tech

Ellis Bitar   JR Cornell University

Brett Bond   JR University of Missouri

Ben Breazeale  SR Wake Forest University

Kyle Brennan  SR University of Buffalo

Matt Byars   SR Michigan State University

Micahel Cantu  JR University of Texas

Phil Capra   SO Wagner College

Brandon Chapman  JR George Washington University

Brady Cox   SR University of Texas, Arlington

Chris Cullen   SO University of South Carolina

Michael Curry  SO University of Georgia

Nick Dalesandro  SO Purdue University

Jason Delay   SR Vanderbilt University

Dominic DiCaprio  SO Rice University

Troy Dixon   SR St. John's University

Matt Duce   JR Dallas Baptist University

Josh Ellis   SR Harvard University

Michael Emodi  SO Creighton University

Hunter Fain   SO Morehead State University

Nick Feight   JR UNC Wilmington

Justin Felix   JR Arkansas State University

Sam Ferri   FR Arizona State University

Ryan Fineman  SO Indiana University

Colby Fitch   JR University of Louisville

Ivan Gonzalez  SO West Virginia University

Tim Graul   SR University of Pennsylvania

Dempsey Grover  JR UC Santa Barbara

Austin Hale   JR Stetson University

Chris Hudgins  JR Cal State Fullerton

Brandon Johnson  JR University of Richmond

Cooper Johnson  FR University of Mississippi

Clark Kahawaii  SR Stephen F. Austin University

Scott Kapers   SO Valparaiso University

Cameron Knight  SR University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Justin Kunz   SO Gardner-Webb University

Jake Kusz   SR UNC Greensboro

Shea Langeliers  FR Baylor University

Tyler Lawrence  SR Murray State University

Brian Lees   SR Southeast Missouri State

Spencer Levine  JR Florida Gulf Coast

Ryan Lidge   SR University of Notre Dame

Blake Logan   SR Auburn University

Peyton Maddox  JR Virginia Military Institute

Phil Madonna  JR Siena College

Nick Meyer   SO Cal Poly

Dominic Miroglio  JR University of San Francisco

Joey Morgan   JR University of Washington

James Morisano  JR Saint Louis University

Hagen Owenby  JR East Tennessee State University

Michael Papierski  JR Lousiana State University

Clay Payne   SR Belmont University

Fabian Pena   SO Manhattan College

Chris Proctor   SO Duke University

Kevin Radziewicz  JR Fairfield University

Cal Raleigh   SO Florida State University

Robie Rojas   SR Sam Houston State University

Josh Rolette   SO Kansas State University

Hayden Senger  SO Miami University

Jake Sidwell   SR Davidson College

Evan Skoug   JR Texas Christian University

Ryan Sloniger  SO Penn State

Chase Smartt   SO Troy University

Nate Soria   JR Xavier University

Deon Stafford Jr.  JR Saint Joseph's University

Logan Starnes  SR Eastern Kentucky University

Zac Susi   SO University of Connecticut

Tim Susnara   JR University of Oregon

Babe Thomas  SR Winthrop University

Joey Thomas   JR University of Cincinnati

Nick Tierno   SR University of Delaware

Zach Tondi   JR James Madison University

Gunnar Troutwine  JR Wichita State University

Daulton Varsho  JR University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Carson Waln   SR Wofford College

Travis Watkins  SR East Carolina University

Harrison Wenson  SR University of Michigan

Matt Whatley   JR Oral Roberts University

Jesse Wilkening  SO University of Nebraska

Chris Williams  JR Clemson University

Connor Wong  JR University of Houston