San José State senior right-handed pitcher Kyle Calzadiaz has been named to the 2026 National Pitcher of the Year Award watch list, according to a March 11 announcement by the College Baseball Foundation.
The recognition places Calzadiaz among 142 pitchers nationwide who are being considered for one of collegiate baseball’s top honors. He is one of only four players from the Mountain West Conference included on this year’s initial list, which highlights standout mound performers from 26 different conferences in the early part of the season.
Calzadiaz, a native of Walnut, California, continues to build on his achievements from last year. In 2025, he was selected for the Mountain West All-Tournament Team and was also named to the 2026 Preseason Mountain West All-Conference Team.
“There is an old adage in baseball that pitchers are usually ahead of the hitters early in the season,” said National Pitcher of the Year Award co-chair Brian Melakian. “The number of early-season dominant pitching performances this year proves that adage to be true.”
Established in 2009, the National Pitcher of the Year Award is regarded as one of collegiate baseball’s most distinguished accolades. Previous recipients include Major League Baseball players Stephen Strasburg (2009), Aaron Nola (2014), and Paul Skenes (2023).
The College Baseball Foundation will narrow down its watch list later this season before announcing a winner alongside celebrations for its new Hall of Fame opening in Overland Park, Kansas.
