This week, Arizona baseball announced via its X account that Tony Pluta will return to Tucson for the 2026 college baseball season.
The Wildcats pitcher was named the 2025 NCBWA Stopper of the Year, an award presented to the best relief pitcher in college baseball.
🗣️ He's BAAAAAAAACK!
Encore season incoming for The 2025 NCBWA Stopper of the Year, @TonyPluta 👏 pic.twitter.com/LGRZDHTLAF
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) July 22, 2025
Pluta is the first Arizona reliever ever to earn the honor in the award’s 20-year history.
Last season, the standout right-hander posted a 1.46 ERA over 37 innings, finishing with a 3-0 record and 14 saves. Those 14 saves led the entire Big 12.
Pluta ranked among the top five in the entire country in saves. He was listed alongside other elite closers, including Clemson’s Lucas Mahlstedt, Alabama’s Carson Ozmer and Oklahoma’s Dylan Crooks.
In addition to winning the Stopper of the Year award, Pluta was named to the All-Big 12 second team and selected as a second-team All-American by D1Baseball, Perfect Game and Baseball America.
Arizona Wildcats’ 2025 Season Results
Pluta played a significant role in the Arizona Wildcats’ highly successful 2025 season.
The team finished with a 44-21 overall record and went 18-12 in conference play.
The Wildcats have now won back-to-back conference tournaments after claiming the 2025 Big 12 Tournament title in Arlington, Texas.
CHAMPS 🏆
Congratulations to @ArizonaBaseball for claiming the 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship.#Big12BSB | @Phillips66Gas pic.twitter.com/BOqirSB9VF
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) May 25, 2025
In the championship game against the TCU Horned Frogs, Pluta was credited with the win, pitching two scoreless innings.
Arizona advanced in the NCAA tournament and appeared in the College World Series for the 19th time in program history.
Pluta returns to Tucson as one of the top relievers in college baseball entering the 2026 season for a Wildcats team that will be dangerous.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
Photo: Arizona’s Tony Pluta (37) pitches during an NCAA super regional baseball game on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
