DuPage's Milatovic earns NJCAA Div. III Defensive Player of the Year

(Story and image courtesy of NJCAA.org)

Charlotte, NC - College of DuPage catcher Filip Milatovic has been named the 2024 NJCAA Division III Baseball Defensive Player of the Year. Milatovic is the second straight catcher to win DIII Defensive Player of the Year.

The NJCAA Division III Baseball Second-Team All-American finished the season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage behind the plate. Milatovic was named a 2023 Gold Glove Award winner last week as the top defensive catcher. The sophomore finished with 233 putouts and 11 assists.

"Our defense wouldn't have been what it was without him behind the plate. He was more than just a leader on the field, and he was the heart and soul of our team on defense and offense. On top of everything he did for us on the field, he is a top-tier person and a wonderful teammate," DuPage coach Matt Gould said.

As a hitter, the sophomore finished with a .382 batting average, 52 hits, 45 RBI, and the fifth most doubles in the country with 24 doubles. 

Milatovic led the Chaps to its first NJCAA DIII Baseball World Series appearance in 22 years. For his efforts in the Region 4 tournament, Milatovic was named the Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player award and All-Region 4 honors.

"He was a real team-first player, and I look forward to seeing what he does the rest of his career. I will deeply miss Filip and the relationship that we built over these last two years. He is moving on to play baseball at St Ambrose University in the fall," coach Gould said.

2024 Stats

• 1.000 fielding percentage

• 233 put outs

• 11 assists

• 12 runners caught stealing

2024 Accomplishments

• 2024 NJCAA Division III Baseball Gold Glove Award

• 2024 NJCAA Division III Baseball Second Team All-America Selection

• 2024 NJCAA Division III Region 4 First-Team All-Region

• 2024 NJCAA Division III Baseball Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player