FSU Places Three on Golden Spikes Award Watch List

The watch list of 55 contenders for college baseball’s most coveted individual award featured three players who will be wearing garnet and gold this season.

Florida State pitcher Tyler Holton, catcher Cal Raleigh and infielder Drew Mendoza were all named to the Golden Spikes Award watch list on Friday. The award goes to college baseball’s best player.

Holton, a junior, is coming off of a 10-3 season in which he posted a 2.34 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 119.1 innings. Holton is expected to get more time with the bat this season after hitting .244 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 45 at-bats last season.

Raleigh, a junior, makes the list after a disappointing campaign. After being named a Freshman All-American in 2016, Raleigh hit just .227 a season ago, but did supply some power with nine home runs and 39 RBIs.

Mendoza, a sophomore corner infielder, came along late during his highly-anticipated freshman campaign after battling jaw and hand injuries. Mendoza managed to finish the year with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs in just 43 games.

Each of the aforementioned Seminoles will look to emerge as the fifth Golden Spikes winner in school history. Past winners include Mike Fuentes in 1981, Mike Loynd in 1986, J.D. Drew in 1997 and Buster Posey in 2008. FSU opens the season on Friday against Xavier.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson