Golden Spikes semifinalists led by MLB’s Top 7 Draft prospects

With the 2024 college baseball regular season coming to a close, the list of the players who will vie for the annual Golden Spikes Award has come into focus.

USA Baseball on Monday announced the 25 semifinalists for college baseball’s highest award, which recognizes the top amateur player in the country. Many of the names included come as no surprise, as the list is well populated with MLB Pipeline’s Top 150 Draft prospects – led by Charlie Condon (No. 1 Draft prospect), Travis Bazzana (No. 2), Jac Caglianone (No. 3), Nick Kurtz (No. 4) and Braden Montgomery (No. 5), Hagen Smith (No. 6) and Chase Burns (No. 7).

Overall, 18 of the 25 semifinalists are on the Pipeline Top 150 list. The others are pitcher Jamie Arnold of Florida State, catcher Brooks Bryan of Troy, outfielder Drew Burress of Georgia Tech, outfielder Lawson Harrill of Campbell, outfielder Jace LaViolette of Texas, pitcher Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman of Eastern Carolina and infielder Blake Wright of Clemson.

List of 2024 Golden Spikes Award semifinalists:

The Golden Spikes Award was established in 1978. Previous winners to later enjoy success in the Major Leagues include MVPs Bryce Harper and Buster Posey, Cy Young winners Tim Lincecum and David Price, as well as All-Stars including Will Clark, Robin Ventura, Kris Bryant and Adley Rutschman.

Fan voting for the Golden Spikes Award continues until June 3. Finalists will be announced two days later, and fan voting will run through June 21.

The 46th Golden Spikes Award will be presented at 7 p.m. ET on June 22 on ESPN before Game 1 of the College World Series finals.