Louisiana's Torres Named Tony Gwynn Trophy Finalist

WACO, Texas – Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns catcher Jose Torres was one of nine finalists announced for the inaugural Tony Gwynn Trophy, honoring NCAA baseball student-athletes who exemplify the Gwynn legacy. The Gwynn Trophy winner will be selected from this group of nine finalists, in a vote by NCBWA board members, select college baseball coaches and national media members.

The Gwynn Trophy, conceptualized for the 2025 season, is intended to honor collegiate baseball student-athletes who are active in their community and represent their programs with integrity, while exceling in the classroom and on the field.

Nominees were solicited this spring through college baseball publicists and the NCBWA membership.

The finalists include a decorated list of elite student-athletes, including four combined from the Big 12 Conference and the Southeastern Conference, in addition to standouts from Northern Colorado, Winthrop, Columbia, San Diego and Louisiana.

On the field, Torres has shined in two years with the Ragin Cajuns after playing his first two collegiate seasons at San Jacinto Junior College. A standout catcher, Torres has hit .302 in 103 games over his Louisiana career, with 95 career hits, 19 doubles, five homers and 64 RBI.

As a senior in 2025, has hit .291 with nine doubles, two homers and 29 RBI. Torres hit .310 in his debut season at Louisiana with 35 runs, 10 doubles, three homers and 35 RBI. Torres was on the Buster Posey Award Midseason Watch List in 2024 and was named to the all-tournament team in the 2024 NCAA College Station Regional

He owns a 3.26 cumulative GPA and is a two-time member of the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's Academic List.

Off the field, Torres has been active in the Lafayette community, volunteering with a host of organizations. Torres has gathered a team-leading 50 hours of community service hours, including with the Boy's and Girl's Club of Acadiana, working specifically at a Summer 2024 Kid's Day at Blackham Coliseum.

Torres has participated in church clean-up at Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church and has volunteered his own time to help clean M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park, including pressure washing the facility on his own. He has worked with the Youngsville Sports Complex to participate in special needs baseball clinics and another clinic that has over 300 children attending

The native of San Miguelito, Panama has worked with the Bayou Church to volunteer for clean-up following a hurricane, and also is a member of the men's group at the church

Torres has helped set up a Broussard community fair with Sacred Heart Catholic Church, has volunteered to help set up for kids at the Ush One See 5K and One Mile Fun Run. Torres' other volunteer efforts includes working the Downtown Alive event, the Love Acadiana Project, campus move-in day, a host of Lafayette Little League events and clinics, helped the Lafayette Museum move dinosaur and mammoth skeletons, assisted in an Ossun Elementary Pep Rally and helped Hospice of Acadiana with a Christmas set up.

"We are honored to continue Tony's legacy of service through the naming of this award in his honor," said Alicia Gwynn, the wife of Tony Gwynn. "Throughout his life, Tony was a man that exuded selflessness and that showed through his commitment to supporting the communities around him. His consistent quest for service and his unyielding love for college baseball make this award a great fit in honoring his legacy. We are excited to shine a spotlight on the young men who represent their schools with such grace and are committed to serving their communities."

Gwynn was nationally recognized throughout his life for his unyielding commitment to philanthropy. He and Alicia, established the Tony Gwynn Foundation to help fund charities supporting children in need, including supporting the Casa de Amparo Child Abuse Shelter, the Neighborhood House, YMCA and the Police Athletic League. In 1995, Gwynn earned the Branch Rickey Award as the top community activist in MLB, and in 1999, he was named the Roberto Clemente Man of the Year. He was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame and won the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, presented to the MLB player who best exemplified the character and leadership of the Hall of Fame first baseman.

The Gwynn family has maintained Tony's commitment to the community, including coordinating the Tony Gwynn Community All-Star Program, which recognizes local youth who support the San Diego community.

Gwynn was a 15-time MLB All-Star, including won eight batting titles – the most in National League history – and finished his decorated, 20-year career with a .338 batting average. He played his entire career with the San Diego Padres, after playing collegiately at San Diego State, where he also played basketball. A 2007 Hall of Fame inductee, Gwynn saw the SDSU baseball facility named in his honor, Tony Gwynn Stadium, and served as the head coach of the Aztecs, from 2003-14, winning three Mountain West Conference Championships and earning 2014 MWC Coach of the Year honors. The Tony Gwynn Legacy Tournament, held each February at Gwynn Stadium and featuring some of the top teams in the nation, has quickly become one of the best nonconference, early-season tournaments in the college baseball calendar.

Gwynn passed away in 2014 after a long bout with cancer. He is survived by Alicia, son Tony Jr. and daughter, Anisha Nicole. His brother Chris attended SDSU and played for the Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals. Tony Jr. also played collegiately at SDSU, earning all-league honors in 2003 before the Milwaukee Brewers drafted him in the second round. He played eight seasons in MLB, including time with the Brewers, Padres, Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Web site, www.ncbwa.com.

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Baseball season and single-game tickets are available for purchase online at RaginCajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 482-GoUL (4685). Fans can also support the baseball student athletes, and invest in the program's future, through the Krewe Allons NIL Collective (click here).

Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.

For the latest updates on Ragin' Cajuns baseball, follow on Facebook (RaginCajunsBaseball), Twitter (@RaginCajunsBSB) and Instagram (@RaginCajunsBSB) or check RaginCajuns.com.

Gwynn Trophy Starting 9
Michael Brooks, R-Sr., INF, Kansas
Evan Byers, Gr., LHP, Kentucky
Tony Castonguay, Sr., C/OF, Northern Colorado
Grant Cunningham, Jr., RHP, Texas A&M
Connor Harris, Gr., RHP, Winthrop
Joe Sheets, Sr., RHP, Columbia
Austin Smith, Sr., LHP/OF, San Diego
Chris Stanfield, Jr., OF, LSU
Jose Torres, Sr., C, Louisiana

Louisiana's Torres Named Tony Gwynn Trophy Finalist

Players Mentioned

Jose Torres

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