IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa sophomore pitcher Brody Brecht was named to the midseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List, it was announced Wednesday by USA Baseball.
Since 1978 the award has been given to the top amateur baseball player in the country. The midseason list features 45 of the nation’s best athletes from both college and high school baseball. Brecht is one of 24 athletes who have played their way on to the list since the preseason list was announced on Feb. 10.
Former Hawkeye Jake Adams was a semifinalist for the award in 2017. Tim Costo was a finalist in 1990.
The Ankeny, Iowa, native leads the Hawkeyes with a 2.60 ERA in seven starts. He has thrown 33 2/3 innings and holds a 2-1 record. Brecht has struck out 59, while walking 24.
Brecht ranks 14th in the nation in hits allowed per nine innings (5.08), 11th in strikeouts (59) and third in strikeouts-per-nine innings (15.77).
In games where TrackMan data is available, Brecht has hit 100+ MPH 26 times and 95+ MPH 189 times.
Brecht was named a freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game a season ago.
Past winners of this prestigious award include current Major League Baseball players such as Adley Rutschman (’19), Andrew Vaughn (’18), Brendan McKay (’17), Kyle Lewis (’16), Andrew Benintendi (’15), Kris Bryant (’13), Mike Zunino (’12), Bryce Harper (’10) and Stephen Strasburg (’09).