On Tuesday, USA Baseball announced the 3 Finalists for the Golden Spikes award, given each year to the top college player in the country. The finalists are LSU's Aaron Nola, Kentucky's A.J. Reed, and Oregon State's Michael Conforto.
Reed led the country in Homeruns (23), Slugging (.735), and OPS (1.171) this year while hitting .336 / .436 / .735 with 73 RBI and drawing 49 walks against 48 strikeouts. As Kentucky's Friday night starter he went 12-2 with a 2.09 ERA in 112 innings, striking out 71 while walking just 29. His pitching career ended with a complete game, 4-2 victory over Kent State in the Louisville Regional last Saturday.
There is a fan component to voting for the final winner. Fans can vote from now until June 13th at the Golden Spikes website.
This is an award that A.J. deserves, so get out there and vote BBN!