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Baseball

Rodon, Stroman named Golden Spikes semifinalists

May 29, 2012

Durham, N.C. — North Carolina State pitcher Carlos Rodon and Duke pitcher Marcus Stroman were among 30 semifinalists for the 2012 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award announced by USA Baseball Tuesday.

Rodon, who was named ACC pitcher of the year and freshman of the year, is the only freshman semifinalist. As of May 29 Rodon has an earned run average of 1.46 and a 9-0 record on the mound. He has notched 126 strike-outs. 

Stroman, a right-handed pitcher who was named to the ACC first-team, has an earned run average of 2.39 and a 6-5 record. He has 136 strike-outs on the year.

Fans can follow online at GoldenSpikesAward.com as the list of 30 players is narrowed to three finalists on Tuesday, June 5.

The GSA will be awarded live on MLB Network. On Friday, July 6, the three finalists for the award will be at MLB Network’s studios for the presentation on The Rundown, which will feature interviews, video highlights and the announcement of the winner. The presentation will also be simulcast live on GoldenSpikesAward.com and MLB.com.

Michael Roth (South Carolina) and Mike Zunino (Florida) were semifinalists for the 2011 GSA and return to the list for 2012. Texas A&M tops all schools with three semifinalists, Florida State and Louisiana State each have two, and in total 26 colleges and universities are represented on the list. Among conferences, the SEC leads with six players, while the ACC and Big 12 have five and the Pac-12 has four. Juniors are tops with 16 semifinalists and they are joined by five sophomores and eight seniors.

A ballot featuring the names and accomplishments of the 30 semifinalists will be sent to a group of more than 215 voters which will select the three finalists and eventual winner. Beginning Tuesday fans will also be able to vote on the 2012 GSA by visiting GoldenSpikesAward.com and selecting their favorite amateur player.

Important 2012 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award dates include:
• Thursday, Feb. 16 -- 50-man preseason Watch List released, shaped by USA Baseball officials and advisors
• Tuesday, May 1 -- 60-man midseason Watch List released, shaped by USA Baseball officials and advisors
• Tuesday, May 29 -- 30 semifinalists announced, selected by USA Baseball officials, semifinalist voting begins, voters select three
• Friday, June 1 -- Deadline to vote for finalists, 5 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, June 5 -- Three finalists announced, finalist voting begins, voters to select one
• Friday, June 15 -- Deadline to vote for winner, 5 p.m. ET
• Friday, July 6 -- Live Golden Spikes Award presentation in-studio on MLB Network’s The Rundown

A complete list of the 30 2012 Golden Spikes Award semifinalists is as follows:

Name, Position, Class, School, Conference
Mark Appel, RHP, Junior, Stanford, Pac-12
Sean Bignall, OF, Senior, Arkansas-Little Rock, Sun Belt
Jayce Boyd, IF, Junior, Florida State, ACC
Kris Bryant, IF, Sophomore, San Diego, WCC
Kevin Gausman, RHP, Sophomore, Louisiana State, SEC
Jeff Gelalich, OF, Junior, UCLA, Pac-12
Marco Gonzales, LHP/IF, Sophomore, Gonzaga, WCC
Andrew Heaney, LHP, Junior, Oklahoma State, Big 12
Kurt Heyer, RHP, Junior, Arizona, Pac-12
Goose Kallunki, IF, Senior, Utah Valley, Great West
Daniel Kassouf, IF, Senior, Appalachian State, SoCon
Alex Keudell, RHP, Senior, Oregon, Pac-12
Trenton Moses, IF, RS-Junior, Southeast Missouri, Ohio Valley
Tyler Naquin, OF, Junior, Texas A&M, Big 12
D.J. Peterson, IF, Sophomore, New Mexico, Mountain West
Nick Petree, RHP, RS-Sophomore, Missouri State, Missouri Valley
Kevin Plawecki, C, Junior, Purdue, Big Ten
Danny Poma, OF, Senior, Hofstra, CAA
James Ramsey, OF, Senior, Florida State, ACC
Raph Rhymes, OF, Junior, Louisiana State, SEC
Carlos Rodon, LHP, Freshman, North Carolina State, ACC
Michael Roth, LHP, Senior, South Carolina, SEC
Richie Shaffer, IF, Junior, Clemson, ACC
Chris Stratton, RHP, Junior, Mississippi State, SEC
Ross Stripling, RHP, Senior, Texas A&M, Big 12
Marcus Stroman, RHP, Junior, Duke, ACC
Josh Turley, LHP, Junior, Baylor, Big 12
Michael Wacha, RHP, Junior, Texas A&M, Big 12
Alex Yarbrough, IF, Junior, Mississippi, SEC
Mike Zunino, C, Junior, Florida, SEC