Arizona’s unflappable closer is a first-team All-American.
UA junior Tony Pluta received that honor Wednesday from the National College Baseball Writers Association. He is the third Wildcat to earn first-team All-American recognition from the NCBWA and the second relief pitcher (Vince Vannelle, 2021).
Arizona’s Tony Pluta celebrates after securing the final out vs. TCU in the Big 12 Baseball Championship on May 24, 2025, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Earlier in the week, Pluta was named a second-team All-American by Perfect Game.
Pluta has a school-record 14 saves for Arizona, which faces Coastal Carolina on Friday in the opening game of the College World Series. The Chicago-area product has a 1.26 ERA, a 0.81 WHIP and has held opposing hitters to a .183 batting average.
Pluta secured saves in Arizona’s clinching victories in the Big 12 Tournament and Super Regional at North Carolina. He also notched the win in Game 2 of that series.
Arizona’s Tony Pluta delivers a pitch during the UA’s 4-1 victory over BYU in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Baseball Championship on May 22, 2025, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Pluta recorded six outs to notch his league-leading 12th save.
Pluta has picked up a trove of honors this year for his exploits on and off the field. They include All-Big 12 second team, Big 12 Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and American Baseball Coaches Association West All-Region first team. Pluta also is a finalist for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year award.
Pluta is an aerospace engineering major with a 3.91 GPA.
