This spring, Rutgers made history by having the best baseball player in the Big Ten for the first time in its program history. Star shortstop Josh Kuroda-Grauer was named the conference’s Player of the Year, marking the first time a Rutgers baseball player has earned a major individual Big Ten award since joining the league in 2015.
Kuroda-Grauer joins a select group of players in program history to earn conference Player of the Year honors, including Doug Alongi, Darren Fenster, Todd Frazier, and Patrick Kivlehan. He had an exceptional season, leading the country in hits and hits/game, ranking third in batting average, stealing 24 bases, and showcasing impressive defensive skills with just seven errors in 53 games.
In addition to his Big Ten accolade, Kuroda-Grauer is also a semifinalist for the prestigious USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award, recognizing the top amateur baseball player in the country. His head coach, Steve Owens, praised his all-around abilities and impact on every game, both on and off the field.
Despite Kuroda-Grauer’s outstanding individual season, Rutgers faced challenges as a team, finishing with a record of 28-25 overall and a 6-18 record in conference play. This led to a 12th-place finish in the Big Ten standings, keeping them out of the conference tournament for the first time since 2019.
Head coach Owens expressed pride in Kuroda-Grauer’s accomplishments and character, highlighting his positive presence on the team. While the team’s performance was not ideal, Kuroda-Grauer’s achievements added a bright spot to Rutgers’ baseball season.