DALLAS – Illinois pitchers Zach Bates and Mitch Dye were named to the initial watch list for the 21st Annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball, the association announced Tuesday.
The Fighting Illini were one of three Big Ten teams with multiple players on the preseason list, alongside Minnesota and UCLA.
Bates enters his second season at Illinois after posting a team-high eight saves in 2025, while his seven saves in Big Ten play are tied for the third-most in a single season in program history. Registering 28.2 innings of work across 23 appearances as a sophomore, Bates turned in a 2.83 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .153 average.
Dye enters his senior campaign in 2026 after recording 23.0 innings and one save in his debut season with the Orange and Blue in 2025. The Springfield, Ill., native tallied nine scoreless appearances, including two innings of scoreless, one-hit ball against UCLA on May 11 while striking out three and allowing just one hit in the contest. Â
A total of 104 players were included on the initial 2026 watch list. The NCBWA will announce a midseason list on April 22, while finalists for the award will be released on June 3. The Stopper of the Year Award recipient will be recognized at the College World Series on June 12.
Bates, Dye, and the Illini will begin the 2026 season at USF in Tampa, Fla., from Feb. 13-15. First pitch on Friday is slated for 5:30 p.m. CT at USF Baseball Stadium.
Previous Winners
2025 - Tony Pluta, Arizona
2024 - Evan Aschenbeck, Texas A&M
2023 - Cade Denton, Oral Roberts
2022 - Tristan Stivors, Texas State
2021 - Kevin Kopps, Arkansas
2019 - Holden Powell, UCLA
2018 - Michael Byrne, Florida
2017 - Lincoln Henzman, Stanford
2016 - Bryan Garcia, Miami (Fla.)
2015 - David Berg, UCLA
2014 - Nick Burdi, Louisville
2013 - David Berg, UCLA
2012 - Stefan Lopez, Southeastern Louisiana
2011 - Corey Knebel, Texas
2010 - Chance Ruffin, Texas
2009 - Addison Reed, San Diego State
2008 - Joshua Fields, Georgia
2007 - Luke Prihoda, Sam Houston State
2006 - Don Czyz, Kansas
2005 - J. Brent Cox, Texas
