Professor Shutdown has added another title: All-American.
Arizona’s junior closer Tony Pluta has been named a First Team All-American by the National College Baseball Writers’ Association. It’s his second AA nod, joining a Second Team selection from Perfect Game.
One of the best relief seasons in program history? You know that’s gonna land some All-America honors pic.twitter.com/ISwDD91KDa
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 11, 2025
Pluta, who is also a finalist for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year award, has saved a school-record 14 games this season including Sunday’s 4-3 win at North Carolina to clinch a spot in the College World Series for the 19th time in program history. He earned the win in Game 2 of the Super Regionals in Chapel Hill and sits at 3-0 with a 1.26 ERA in 28 appearances, a key to the Wildcats being 38-0 this season when leading entering the 9th inning.
The last Arizona reliever to be a NCBWA First Team All-American was Vince Vannelle in 2021.
Fellow UA junior Mason White was also named a Second Team All-American by Perfect Game, which put righty starter Smith Bailey on its Freshman All-America Second Team.
Arizona (44-19) opens the 2025 College World Series against Coastal Carolina (53-11) on Friday at 11 a.m. PT.