Roch Cholowsky
Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
Cholowsky Selected as Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist
May 15, 2025 | Baseball
DALLAS – UCLA sophomore shortstop Roch Cholowsky has been selected as a Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist announced today by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). The Dick Howser Trophy is awarded annually to college baseball's top player, as voted on by a national panel of writers, broadcasters, and publicists.
Cholowsky was among 57 players honored with the recognition, standing out as one of only five from the Big Ten Conference.
Cholowsky, a sophomore from Chandler, Ariz., has been a standout performer for UCLA during its resurgent 2025 campaign. The shortstop is hitting a team-best .359 with 18 home runs and 58 RBIs during his excellent season. Cholowsky boasts team-bests in on-base percentage (.498) and slugging (.729) to post an OPS of 1.227. The 2024 Freshman All-American has produced in the crucial moments for the Bruins with five go-ahead home runs on the year.
Roch Cholowsky has undoubtedly been one of the nation's most valuable players, and the advanced statistics prove it. According to data compiled by 643 charts, Cholowsky leads the nation in wins-above-replacement (WAR) with a mark of 5.36. UCLA's shortstop has particularly stood out defensively with a defensive-runs-saved (DRS) mark of 16.44 and defensive WAR of 1.23, ranking second in the nation for both metrics. At the plate, Cholowsky has been equally impressive, boasting an offensive WAR of 4.12 and offensive runs-above-replacement (ORAR) of 55.11.
Cholowsky has been the cornerstone of a UCLA defense that leads the nation with 53 double plays while maintaining an impressive .980 fielding percentage, ranking 12th nationally.
The finalists for the Dick Howser Trophy will be announced on June 7 and the winner also will be unveiled on MLB Network in a special national presentation at 9:30 a.m. (CT) prior to the Friday, June 13, news conference in Omaha, Neb. at 10 a.m. (CT) before the first game of the 78th NCAA College World Series in the Schwab Field Media Room.
Cholowsky was among 57 players honored with the recognition, standing out as one of only five from the Big Ten Conference.
Cholowsky, a sophomore from Chandler, Ariz., has been a standout performer for UCLA during its resurgent 2025 campaign. The shortstop is hitting a team-best .359 with 18 home runs and 58 RBIs during his excellent season. Cholowsky boasts team-bests in on-base percentage (.498) and slugging (.729) to post an OPS of 1.227. The 2024 Freshman All-American has produced in the crucial moments for the Bruins with five go-ahead home runs on the year.
Roch Cholowsky has undoubtedly been one of the nation's most valuable players, and the advanced statistics prove it. According to data compiled by 643 charts, Cholowsky leads the nation in wins-above-replacement (WAR) with a mark of 5.36. UCLA's shortstop has particularly stood out defensively with a defensive-runs-saved (DRS) mark of 16.44 and defensive WAR of 1.23, ranking second in the nation for both metrics. At the plate, Cholowsky has been equally impressive, boasting an offensive WAR of 4.12 and offensive runs-above-replacement (ORAR) of 55.11.
Cholowsky has been the cornerstone of a UCLA defense that leads the nation with 53 double plays while maintaining an impressive .980 fielding percentage, ranking 12th nationally.
The finalists for the Dick Howser Trophy will be announced on June 7 and the winner also will be unveiled on MLB Network in a special national presentation at 9:30 a.m. (CT) prior to the Friday, June 13, news conference in Omaha, Neb. at 10 a.m. (CT) before the first game of the 78th NCAA College World Series in the Schwab Field Media Room.
Players Mentioned
INF
/ BaseballUCLA Baseball Postgame - Coach Savage & Players vs. LSU (June 17, 2025)
Tuesday, June 17
UCLA Baseball Postgame - Coach Savage & Players vs. Arkansas (June 17, 2025)
Tuesday, June 17
UCLA Baseball Postgame - Coach Savage & Players vs. Murray State (June 14, 2025)
Saturday, June 14
Highlights - UCLA Baseball vs. Murray State (June 14, 2025)
Saturday, June 14