Ole Miss Baseball Catcher Named to Buster Posey Preseason Watch List as Top Catcher

Mike Bianco and Co. see another game-changer earn preseason honors, Rebels catcher latest to reel in the accolade.

May 31, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels catcher Austin Fawley (24) rounds third as he runs after a home run during the second inning against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

WICHITA, Kan. – For the first time in the history of the award, the Wichita Sports Commission released the 2026 Buster Posey Preseason Watch List Wednesday morning, listing Ole Miss' Austin Fawley as one of the best catchers in the nation.

Previously known as the Johnny Bench Award, the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award honors the nation's top division one collegiate catcher as voted on by head coaches and sports information directors.

Fawley is one of 10 backstops to be named to the Watch List and one of four from the SEC.

Fawley started 49 games behind the plate for the Rebels in 2025 and is expected to be the starting catcher in 2026. He led the team in slugging percentage in 2025 and finished second on the team in home runs and third in RBI. His 21 home runs were the most by any catcher in the Mike Bianco Era were the third most by a Rebel in a single season.

The junior was named to both the 2025 ABCA/Rawlings All-South Region Team and the 2025 Oxford Regional All-Tournament Team. D1Baseball named him as the eighth best catcher in the country in their 2026 Preseason Top 50 Catcher Rankings.

Ole Miss catcher Austin Fawley hits a home run against Jacksonville State on March 7, 2025 at Swayze Field in Oxford, Miss. | Ole Miss Athletics

The Ole Miss Baseball TV Schedule:

The Southeastern Conference and ESPN announced the SEC Baseball Television schedule Tuesday afternoon, featuring the Ole Miss Rebels seven times throughout the 2026 season.

2026 Ole Miss Baseball Television Schedule
March 19 vs. Kentucky – 7 p.m. on SEC Network
March 29 vs. Mississippi State – 3 p.m. on SEC Network
April 4 at Florida – 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network
April 25 vs. Georgia – 1 p.m. on SEC Network
May 3 at Arkansas – 2 p.m. on SEC Network
May 10 vs. Texas A&M – 5 p.m. on SEC Network
May 12 vs. UT Martin – 6 p.m. on SEC Network

Four wildcard games during the final weekend of the regular season (May 14-16) will be selected to air on SEC Network.

All 15 games of the SEC Tournament are slated to be televised May 19-24. The first 14 games will air on SEC Network followed by the championship game on ABC.

More Ole Miss News:

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Ole Miss Football Recruiting Notebook: Three Targets Pete Golding Must Land in Year 1

'Growing Optimism' That Ole Miss Football QB Trinidad Chambliss Will Play in 2026

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