Madliak Selected as Buster Posey Award Semifinalist
May 18, 2026 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Senior catcher Bear Madliak was selected as a semifinalist for the 2026 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award presented by Hasty Awards, the Wichita Sports Commission announced Monday morning.
Madliak was one of 16 catchers, including three from the Big 12, chosen as semifinalists by the committee. He is the second K-State in school history to earn the distinction, formally known as the Johnny Bench Award, joining former Wildcat Blair DeBord (2013).
One of K-State's top offensive performers this season, Madliak is batting .311 with 13 doubles and nine home runs, which ranks second on the team. He owns a .559 slugging percentage and .413 on-base percentage, ranking fourth on the team in both categories. He has driven in 43 RBI and scored 41 runs, while recording 14 multi-hit efforts and 11 contests with multiple RBI.
The Carrollton, Georgia, native has appeared in 46 games, with 40 starts behind the plate for the Wildcats. Entering the week, he is one of 37 catchers nationally hitting over .310 with at least 22 extra-base hits and 43 RBI.
Madliak also became the first catcher in K-State history to earn National Catcher of the Week honors from the College Baseball Foundation after a standout performance during week seven. He hit .533 (8-for-15) with three doubles and three home runs while posting a team-best 1.921 OPS. Madliak finished the week with eight RBI and seven runs scored, and his three home runs averaged 426 feet per blast.
K-State (28-26, 11-19 Big 12) will take on 10th-seeded Utah (26-24, 12-18 Big 12) in the opening round of the 2026 Big 12 Championships on Tuesday at 10 pm CT at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Madliak was one of 16 catchers, including three from the Big 12, chosen as semifinalists by the committee. He is the second K-State in school history to earn the distinction, formally known as the Johnny Bench Award, joining former Wildcat Blair DeBord (2013).
One of K-State's top offensive performers this season, Madliak is batting .311 with 13 doubles and nine home runs, which ranks second on the team. He owns a .559 slugging percentage and .413 on-base percentage, ranking fourth on the team in both categories. He has driven in 43 RBI and scored 41 runs, while recording 14 multi-hit efforts and 11 contests with multiple RBI.
The Carrollton, Georgia, native has appeared in 46 games, with 40 starts behind the plate for the Wildcats. Entering the week, he is one of 37 catchers nationally hitting over .310 with at least 22 extra-base hits and 43 RBI.
Madliak also became the first catcher in K-State history to earn National Catcher of the Week honors from the College Baseball Foundation after a standout performance during week seven. He hit .533 (8-for-15) with three doubles and three home runs while posting a team-best 1.921 OPS. Madliak finished the week with eight RBI and seven runs scored, and his three home runs averaged 426 feet per blast.
K-State (28-26, 11-19 Big 12) will take on 10th-seeded Utah (26-24, 12-18 Big 12) in the opening round of the 2026 Big 12 Championships on Tuesday at 10 pm CT at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
C
/ BaseballK-State Baseball | Dee Kennedy Joins the 20-20 Club
Monday, May 11
K-State Baseball | James Guyette Highlights vs Cincinnati
Monday, May 11
K-State Baseball | Game Highlights vs Cincinnati Game 3
Sunday, May 10
K-State Baseball | Senior Day Ceremony
Sunday, May 10
