Cholowsky Named ABCA/Rawlings National Player of the Year
June 23, 2025 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES - UCLA sophomore shortstop Roch Cholowsky has been named the ABCA/Rawlings Division I Player of the Year, continuing a historic season for the standout infielder. The honor was announced Monday morning by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Cholowsky led the charge in UCLA's return to the Men's College World Series for the first time since 2013, steering the Bruins to a 48-18 record and a share of the Big Ten regular-season crown in their debut year in the conference.
The accolades poured in for Cholowsky throughout 2025. He made history as the first Bruin ever to be named both Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same campaign, and the first UCLA player to capture conference player of the year honors since 1998. On the national stage, Cholowsky stood alone. He became both the first Bruin and the first sophomore to earn the Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nation's top shortstop.
His decorated season included First Team All-America honors from the ABCA, the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove, and being named Perfect Game's National Player of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy.
Statistically, Cholowsky was unparalleled. He led all Division I players with a 6.49 WAR while slashing .353/.480/.710, collecting 23 home runs and 74 RBIs. His 1.261 OPS and .761 slugging percentage were tops in the Big Ten, and his 23 homers marked the highest single-season total by a Bruin since 2000. He crossed the plate 80 times, falling just one shy of Chase Utley's single-season school record, and his 179 total bases now rank second in UCLA history during the Super Regional era. Cholowsky also set a new program record with 21 hit-by-pitchesโbrieflyโbefore being edged out by teammate Dean West's 22. He was one of just two Bruins to start every game this season.
