Complete Stopper of the Year Watch List
GREENVILLE, N.C. – After an All-Big Ten campaign as Purdue baseball's closer last season, Bo Hofstra has been recognized among the top pitchers nationally with a place on the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award.
Hofstra recorded a 1.62 ERA and 7 saves in his 24 appearances last year. With 47 strikeouts vs. 30 hits allowed in 39 innings, he helped the Boilermakers set team records for strikeouts (477) and strikeouts per nine innings (9.10).
The Stopper of the Year Award is awarded annually by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, recognizing the top NCAA Division I reliever pitcher. Nick Wittgren (2011-12) and Ross Learnard (2017-18) are among Purdue's other closers to appear on the watch list in recent seasons.
Hofstra was tabbed as the No. 8 prospect in the Big Ten for the 2020 MLB Draft by D1Baseball.com. He's a leading candidate to move into the weekend rotation for his junior campaign. The organizational leadership major was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree as a sophomore.
Hofstra has pitched in a team-high 52 games over the last two seasons. The right-hander set a Purdue freshman record with 28 appearances during the program's successful 38-win campaign in 2018. For his career, he has racked up 96 strikeouts vs. 74 hits allowed in 91 1/3 innings. Among pitchers with a minimum 75 innings, his 2.76 career ERA ranks fifth best in Purdue history. He also ranks among the program's all-time leaders in strikeouts per nine innings (9.46), fewest hits allowed per nine (7.29) and WHIP (1.23) – all among those with a minimum 75 innings.
The Schererville native pitched in every Big Ten victory as a sophomore, earning a win and five saves in conference play. He closed out all three shutouts on the season, finishing off wins vs. Texas, Penn State and Michigan State. Hofstra allowed only one of 12 inherited base runners to score and really saw his season take off after fixing the command issues that plagued him early in 2019. He registered 35 strikeouts vs. 11 walks (3.18 K/BB ratio) over the final two months after giving up 13 walks vs. 12 Ks (0.92 K/BB) in his first 11 2/3 innings.
Over the summer, Matt Moore and Hofstra teamed up to help the Cotuit Kettleers win the Cape Cod League title.
An imposing figure on the mound at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Big Bo has been able overpower hitters with a fastball-slider combination. He'll likely have an opportunity to face his namesake – Hofstra University – as Purdue opens its season with a four-game series against the Pride this weekend in Sanford, Florida. Friday's season opener is set for 3 p.m. ET.
GREENVILLE, N.C. – After an All-Big Ten campaign as Purdue baseball's closer last season, Bo Hofstra has been recognized among the top pitchers nationally with a place on the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award.
Hofstra recorded a 1.62 ERA and 7 saves in his 24 appearances last year. With 47 strikeouts vs. 30 hits allowed in 39 innings, he helped the Boilermakers set team records for strikeouts (477) and strikeouts per nine innings (9.10).
The Stopper of the Year Award is awarded annually by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, recognizing the top NCAA Division I reliever pitcher. Nick Wittgren (2011-12) and Ross Learnard (2017-18) are among Purdue's other closers to appear on the watch list in recent seasons.
Hofstra was tabbed as the No. 8 prospect in the Big Ten for the 2020 MLB Draft by D1Baseball.com. He's a leading candidate to move into the weekend rotation for his junior campaign. The organizational leadership major was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree as a sophomore.
Hofstra has pitched in a team-high 52 games over the last two seasons. The right-hander set a Purdue freshman record with 28 appearances during the program's successful 38-win campaign in 2018. For his career, he has racked up 96 strikeouts vs. 74 hits allowed in 91 1/3 innings. Among pitchers with a minimum 75 innings, his 2.76 career ERA ranks fifth best in Purdue history. He also ranks among the program's all-time leaders in strikeouts per nine innings (9.46), fewest hits allowed per nine (7.29) and WHIP (1.23) – all among those with a minimum 75 innings.
The Schererville native pitched in every Big Ten victory as a sophomore, earning a win and five saves in conference play. He closed out all three shutouts on the season, finishing off wins vs. Texas, Penn State and Michigan State. Hofstra allowed only one of 12 inherited base runners to score and really saw his season take off after fixing the command issues that plagued him early in 2019. He registered 35 strikeouts vs. 11 walks (3.18 K/BB ratio) over the final two months after giving up 13 walks vs. 12 Ks (0.92 K/BB) in his first 11 2/3 innings.
Over the summer, Matt Moore and Hofstra teamed up to help the Cotuit Kettleers win the Cape Cod League title.
An imposing figure on the mound at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Big Bo has been able overpower hitters with a fastball-slider combination. He'll likely have an opportunity to face his namesake – Hofstra University – as Purdue opens its season with a four-game series against the Pride this weekend in Sanford, Florida. Friday's season opener is set for 3 p.m. ET.