AUBURN, Ala. – Relief pitchers John Armstrong and Hayden Murphy have been named to the preseason watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in college baseball, the associated announced Wednesday.
It marks the second time Armstrong has earned the recognition after also making the list prior to the 2023 season and is the first time for Murphy.
The Southeastern Conference was the most represented league in the country, and Auburn was just one of two SEC programs with multiple players on the list.
Entering his senior season, Armstrong leads all Auburn pitchers and ranks fifth among active SEC pitchers with 60 career appearances. He has turned in 19 or more appearances in all three of his season on the Plains and has posted an 8-4 record and collected four saves with a 4.63 ERA to along with 100 strikeouts in 89.1 innings pitched.
Murphy came on strong at the end of his sophomore season in 2024, finishing a game in each of the team’s last two series, including earning a save in the series-clinching win against Alabama. The Chula, Georgia, native turned in a 4.32 ERA in 14 appearances a year ago and is set to get first crack at closing games in 2025.