WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

Emanuel, Moran named to Golden Spikes Award watch list

Feb 16, 2012

Durham, N.C. — USA Baseball released its 2012 Preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List on Thursday and it included a pair of Tar Heels as sophomores Kent Emanuel and Colin Moran were named to the initial list. Emanuel and Moran both earned Freshman All-America honors a year ago in helping Carolina to the College World Series for the fifth time in six years.

Moran earned Baseball America Freshman of the Year honors a year ago for his performance for the Tar Heels, while also picking up several All-America honors. Emanuel became Carolina's Saturday starter and posted a 9-1 record with a 2.33 ERA as a freshman.

The watch list features 50 of the nation's top amateur players, and it will be a "rolling" list to ensure that athletes can play themselves into consideration for the award.

The Golden Spikes Award trophy will be awarded live at MLB Network's studios for the second year in a row, with a presentation scheduled for Major League Baseball's All-Star Week, July 9-13 (specific date to be announced).