Brendan McKay, Brent Rooker Highlight Golden Spikes Semifinalists

Louisville two-way star Brendan McKay and Mississippi State first baseman Brent Rooker headline the list of 25 semifinalists for USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award that was unveiled Wednesday.

The award will be presented on June 29 in Los Angeles and televised by ESPN.

USA Baseball will announce the finalist for the award Wednesday, June 14. Fans can participate in the voting by going to GoldenSpikesAward.com from May 31-June 9. Another round of voting begins June 14 after the finalists are announced.

Louisville, Oregon State and Virginia are the only teams with multiple semifinalists. McKay is joined by teammate Drew Ellis. The Beavers are represented by lefthander Luke Heimlich and infielder Nick Madrigal. The Cavaliers are represented by lefthander/outfielder Adam Haseley and first baseman Pavin Smith.

McKay is a semifinalist for the third time in his career. Missouri State third baseman Jake Burger made the list for the second consecutive year.

Kyle Lewis, the College Player of the Year last season, was the Golden Spikes winner in 2016. Other previous winners include Andrew Benintendi (2015), Kris Bryant (2013), Trevor Bauer (2011), Bryce Harper (2010) and Stephen Strasburg (2009).

Name, Year, Position, School

Jake Adams, Jr., IF, Iowa

J.B. Bukauskas, Jr., RHP, North Carolina

Jake Burger, Jr., IF, Missouri State

Griffin Canning, Jr., RHP, UCLA

Morgan Cooper, Jr., RHP, Texas

Greg Deichmann, Jr., OF, LSU

Drew Ellis, Jr., IF, Louisville

Alex Faedo, Jr., RHP, Florida

Stuart Fairchild, Jr., OF, Wake Forest

Steven Gingery, So., LHP, Texas Tech

Nate Harris, Sr., RHP, Louisiana Tech