Kody Clemens named one of 25 Golden Spikes Award semifinalists
By Steve Lansdale
AUSTIN, Texas — Second baseman Kody Clemens has been named by USA Baseball as one of 25 semifinalists for the Golden Spikes Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top amateur player.
The Texas junior is hitting .344 this season and has played a major role in helping the Longhorns win their first Big 12 title since 2011. His 61 runs batted in are 20 more than the total for any other Longhorn, and he leads the conference with 19 home runs. He is the first UT player with at least 19 home runs since Kyle Russell reached that total in 2008, and the first Texas player to have 60 or more RBI since Brandon Belt plated 65 in the same season.
“It is a tremendous honor to recognize the semifinalists for this year’s Golden Spikes Award,” said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball’s Executive Director and CEO. “This award is given to an amateur baseball player who exemplifies outstanding athletic ability, sportsmanship, character and overall contribution to the sport, and these 25 young athletes are incredibly deserving of this recognition.
“Year-in and year-out, the talent level in the amateur landscape continues to grow and this year is no different.”
The 25 semifinalists:
(Name, Class, Position, School, Conference)
Joey Bart; Jr.; C; Georgia Tech; ACC
Alec Bohm; Jr.; IF; Wichita State; American Athletic
Kyle Brnovich; So.; RHP; Elon; Colonial Athletic
Brian Brown; Sr.; LHP; NC State; ACC
Kody Clemens; Jr.; IF; Texas; Big 12
Frank German; Jr.; RHP; North Florida; Atlantic Sun
Logan Gilbert; Jr.; RHP; Stetson; Atlantic Sun
Devlin Granberg; Sr.; IF/OF; Dallas Baptist; Missouri Valley
Luke Heyer; Sr.; IF/OF; Kentucky; SEC
Jonathan India; Jr.; IF; Florida; SEC
Josh Jung; So.; IF/RHP; Texas Tech; Big 12
Trevor Larnach; Jr.; OF; Oregon State; Pac-12
Nick Madrigal; Jr.; IF; Oregon State; Pac-12
Casey Mize; Jr.; RHP; Auburn; SEC
Joey Murray; Jr.; RHP; Kent State; Mid-American
John Rooney; Jr.; LHP; Hofstra; Colonial Athletic
Nick Sandlin; Jr.; RHP; Southern Miss; Conference USA
Zack Shannon; Sr.; RHP/IF; Delta State; Gulf South
Scott Shreiber; Sr.; OF; Nebraska; Big Ten
Brady Singer; Jr.; RHP; Florida; SEC
Bren Spillane; Jr.; IF/OF; Illinois; Big Ten
Kevin Strohschein; Jr.; OF; Tennessee Tech; Ohio Valley
Spencer Torkelson; Fr.; IF; Arizona State; Pac-12
Andrew Vaughn; So.; IF; California; Pac-12
Steele Walker; Jr.; OF; Oklahoma; Big 12
