TROY, Alabama – Brandon Lockridge became the second Troy player in school history to win the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award, the organization announced Wednesday night.
Lockridge was a sure glove in center field for the Trojans in 2018, recording 164 putouts and three outfield assists with just one error all season – a fly ball that swirled around in the wind until popping out of the junior's glove in shallow center.
Earlier this month, the Pensacola, Fla., native made more program history when he became just the fifth Troy player to ever be drafted in the top five rounds of the MLB First-Year Player Draft as the New York Yankees selected him in the fifth round at pick 157.
The speedy Lockridge left Troy with the single-season (7) and career (14) triples records, as well as tying for the school record with 63 games played this year. He started 166 consecutive games in a Trojan uniform, which is the longest streak by any player since at least 2000.
At the conclusion of the Sun Belt Championship, he received all-tournament honors and was an All-Sun Belt First Team selection at second base in 2017.
Brett Henry was Troy's only Gold Glove Award winner prior to Lockridge – bringing home the hardware after posting a .976 fielding percentage at third base in the 2009 season.
Quotable – Troy head coach Mark Smartt
"This award is a tribute to Brandon's hard work his whole life and especially this season. He transitioned to center field in October after playing second base for two seasons. The progress he made defensively in a short time is truly amazing. Again, it speaks to his incredible work ethic and determination as a player."
2018 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. I Gold Glove Team
Pos. - Player - Cl. - School
C - Shea Langeliers - So. - Baylor
1B - Jake Vieth - Sr. - Gonzaga
2B - Michael Massey - So. - Illinois
3B - Brandon Perez - Jr. - USC
SS - Tyler Depreta-Johnson - Sr. - Houston Baptists
OF - Brandon Lockridge - Jr. - Troy
OF - Jake Mangum - Jr. - Mississippi State
OF - Zach Watson - So. - LSU
P - Joe DeMers - Jr. - Washington