West Virginia Native, WVU OF Named Semifinalist for Dick Howser Trophy

West Virginia native and WVU outfielder Jace Rinehart has been named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, the NCBWA announced on Thursday.

One of 67 semifinalists, Rinehart is just the third Mountaineer to ever be named a semifinalist for the Heisman Trophy of college baseball, joining JJ Wetherholt (2023, 2024) and Alek Manoah (2019).

Jace Rinehart ➡️ Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist

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— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) May 16, 2025

Rinhart, a native of Mannington, W.Va. and a North Marion High School graduate, is in his first season with the Mountaineers after playing three years at USC Upstate. He leads WVU or shares the lead in several offensive categories, including hits (58), doubles (20), home runs (eight), RBI (50), total bases (102) and slugging percentage (.611).

On the season, Rinehart has a slash line of .347/.421/.611 with an OPS of 1.032, 28 extra-base hits and 50 RBI.

Rinhart and the Mountaineers clinched their first outright Big 12 regular season title Thursday night as Arizona State lost to Oklahoma State. WVU plays game two of its three-game series against Kansas tonight at 5 p.m.

The Dick Howser Trophy is given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987. The trophy is regarded as baseball’s most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage – all qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser’s life.

Other Big 12 players named semifinalists for the award include Kansas’s Brady Ballinger, Oklahoma State’s Harrison Bodendorf, Cincinnati’s Kerrington Cross, Arizona State’s Matt King, TCU’s Tommy LaPour and Arizona State’s Kyle Walker.