Feb. 17, 2009
DURHAM, N.C. -- Baylor junior pitcher Kendal Volz was among 50 players named to the initial watch list for the 2009 Golden Spikes Award announced Tuesday by USA Baseball. The Golden Spikes Award, in its 32nd year, is given annually to the nation's top collegiate player.
A right-hander from Bulverde, Texas, Volz was 3-6 with a 4.20 ERA in 12 starts last season. He led the Big 12 and ranked 18th nationally with 10.83 strikeouts per nine innings, a Baylor single-season record. However, Volz made his biggest waves last summer as the USA Baseball National Team's closer. He posted a 0.00 ERA and converted all eight save opportunities, guiding the National Team to a 24-0 record.
Volz was one of five Big 12 Conference players on the list, joining fellow 2008 National Team pitching staff mates Tyler Lyons and Andrew Oliver of Oklahoma State and Kyle Gibson of Missouri. Texas A&M first baseman Luke Anders also was on the list. Additional players may be added to the list throughout the year at USA Baseball's discretion.
USA Baseball officials will cut the watch list to 30 names May 26. That list will be sent to a voting panel consisting of professional baseball personnel, past USA Baseball National Team coaches, select members of the media, former USA Baseball press officers and current USA Baseball staff. For the second consecutive year, fan voting will count toward the final total; that will be available May 26 at www.goldenspikesaward.com.
Five finalists will be announced June 2 with voting for the winner beginning that day. The 2009 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award will be presented July 15 during an award show in conjunction with the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star weekend festivities in St. Louis.
Past Golden Spikes Award winners include current and former Major Leaguers Bob Horner (the award's first winner in 1978, Arizona State), Will Clark (1985, Mississippi State), Jason Varitek (1994, Georgia Tech), J.D. Drew (1997, Florida State), Jason Jennings (1999, Baylor), Jared Weaver (2004, Long Beach State) and David Price (2007, Vanderbilt). Florida State catcher Buster Posey won the award last season.
Volz is the first Baylor pitcher to appear on the award's initial watch list since Chad Hawkins in 2000. Other Baylor players named to the award's initial watch list in past seasons include Beamer Weems (2008), Jason Jennings (1999) and Marty Crawford (1996).
Baylor opens its 2009 season this weekend, hosting Pacific for a three-game series at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears and Tigers meet Friday at 6:30 p.m. CST, Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon.
For more Baylor baseball information, check out Straight from the Pen.
