UC Outfielder Griffin Merritt Wins AAC Player of the Year Honors

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats baseball team wrapped up its 2022 regular season this past weekend, and one star just did something only one other UC player has ever achieved. Outfielder Griffin Merritt joined Ian Happ (2015) as the only Bearcats ever to win AAC Player of the Year.

🏆 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 🏆

After leading the AAC in both home runs (17) and slugging percentage (.676), @G_Merritt10 is your 2022 @American_BSB Player of the Year!#Bearcats | #NatiBoyz pic.twitter.com/5se3ZIXWbr
— Cincinnati Baseball (@GoBearcatsBASE) May 23, 2022

The redshirt junior is the fourth player in program history to win a conference player of the year award after posting a league-leading mark in home runs (17) and a .309 batting average. He also led the league in slugging percentage (.676)

"It's such a surreal feeling right now," Merritt said. "I grew up a Bearcats fan, both my parents went to UC. It's been a dream to play at UC. To bring such a prestigious award back to the University means everything to me. I'm very grateful."

Merritt also made First-Team All-AAC and he's not lying when it comes to the award's meaning after attending La Salle High School in Cincinnati prior to UC.

Four other Bearcats cracked an All-AAC list: Outfielder Paul Komistek, first baseman Ryan Nicholson, pitcher Beau Keathley, and pitcher Conner Linn each made Second Team All-AAC. The Bearcats start their path to the NCAA Tournament with a first-round AAC Tournament matchup on Tuesday against Tulane.

The first pitch is at 9 a.m. on ESPN+.

Make sure you bookmark All Bearcats for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.

You May Also Like:

Look: UC NFL Rookies Pose in New Uniforms at Rookie Premiere

Top 2023 UC Target Amare Snowden Places Bearcats in Top-Six Schools

Bearcats Fall Slightly in Latest Way-Too-Early Top-25 CFB Rankings

Kyle Washington, Tari Eason Named UC's Best Modern Incoming/Outgoing Transfers

Desmond Ridder: 'I'm Going to put my Best Foot Forward' in Atlanta Falcons QB Battle

Bearcats Crack ESPN's List of Top-10 Defenses Over Next Three Years

Bearcats Offer Top-Two 2024 Ohio Prospect

Alec Pierce Inks Contract With Indianapolis Colts

A Closer Look at New Bearcats Defensive End Noah Potter