Arkansas redshirt senior reliever Kevin Kopps emerged as the most dominant pitcher in college baseball during the 2021 season.
Golden Spikes Award 2021 Semifinalists
Kevin Kopps
WINNERPitcher, Arkansas![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/soy8ytlzfosapwhqueli.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/soy8ytlzfosapwhqueli.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/soy8ytlzfosapwhqueli.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/soy8ytlzfosapwhqueli.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/soy8ytlzfosapwhqueli.png 372w)
Jack Leiter
FINALISTPitcher, Vanderbilt![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/vws4jnjsfmy0gaq5pdff.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/vws4jnjsfmy0gaq5pdff.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/vws4jnjsfmy0gaq5pdff.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/vws4jnjsfmy0gaq5pdff.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/vws4jnjsfmy0gaq5pdff.png 372w)
Jack Leiter has been impressive for the Commodores this season. In his first career SEC start, Leiter threw a no-hitter against No. 16 South Carolina.
Kumar Rocker
FINALISTPitcher, Vanderbilt![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/lzkul99fsmpucsr8mmkw.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/lzkul99fsmpucsr8mmkw.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/lzkul99fsmpucsr8mmkw.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/lzkul99fsmpucsr8mmkw.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/lzkul99fsmpucsr8mmkw.png 372w)
One of the nation’s top arms, junior right-hander Kumar Rocker was a force on the Vanderbilt pitching staff throughout the 2021 season.
Andrew Abbott
Pitcher, Virginia![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/peyvedkulpgwufoppa7h.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/peyvedkulpgwufoppa7h.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/peyvedkulpgwufoppa7h.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/peyvedkulpgwufoppa7h.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/peyvedkulpgwufoppa7h.png 372w)
Virginia ace Andrew Abbott ranks third in the country with 142 strikeouts, the third most ever in a single season by a Cavalier pitcher.
Tanner Allen
Outfielder, Mississippi State![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/p10huiu0yz5n5g6rvsoe.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/p10huiu0yz5n5g6rvsoe.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/p10huiu0yz5n5g6rvsoe.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/p10huiu0yz5n5g6rvsoe.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/p10huiu0yz5n5g6rvsoe.png 372w)
The SEC Player of the Year, Tanner Allen has been at his best against the best in college baseball, as the left-handed hitter leads the SEC in batting average.
Jacob Berry
Infielder, Arizona![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/iz10apzbqgpvdsu4fn1u.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/iz10apzbqgpvdsu4fn1u.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/iz10apzbqgpvdsu4fn1u.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/iz10apzbqgpvdsu4fn1u.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/iz10apzbqgpvdsu4fn1u.png 372w)
Jacob Berry, a true freshman, slugged his way into the Arizona record books in 2021 as a major contributor on arguably the No. 1 offense in the nation.
Colton Cowser
Outfielder, Sam Houston![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/ujweferqjqow4olhjs1j.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/ujweferqjqow4olhjs1j.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/ujweferqjqow4olhjs1j.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/ujweferqjqow4olhjs1j.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/ujweferqjqow4olhjs1j.png 372w)
Sam Houston State’s Colton Cowser backed up his slew of preseason accolades with one of the top seasons in Sam Houston Bearkats history
Henry Davis
Catcher, Louisville![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/cevwftfclc3jekwp6qkv.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/cevwftfclc3jekwp6qkv.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/cevwftfclc3jekwp6qkv.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/cevwftfclc3jekwp6qkv.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/cevwftfclc3jekwp6qkv.png 372w)
A 2021 All-American and All-ACC selection, Louisville’s Henry Davis finished with a .370 batting average with 15 home runs and 48 RBI.
Sal Frelick
Infielder/Outfielder, Boston College![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/fbxssfi77q7pphmammb9.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/fbxssfi77q7pphmammb9.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/fbxssfi77q7pphmammb9.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/fbxssfi77q7pphmammb9.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/fbxssfi77q7pphmammb9.png 372w)
Boston College center fielder Sal Frelick was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and an All-ACC First Team selection in 2021.
Tyler Hardman
Infielder, Oklahoma![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/vo5mbbdebwn2aldgbkyj.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/vo5mbbdebwn2aldgbkyj.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/vo5mbbdebwn2aldgbkyj.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/vo5mbbdebwn2aldgbkyj.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/vo5mbbdebwn2aldgbkyj.png 372w)
Oklahoma’s Tyler Hardman put together one of the most impressive seasons of any player in the country in 2021, ranking fourth nationally in hits.
Jace Jung
Infielder, Texas Tech![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/cusbgjjycju7y43oyc2k.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/cusbgjjycju7y43oyc2k.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/cusbgjjycju7y43oyc2k.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/cusbgjjycju7y43oyc2k.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/cusbgjjycju7y43oyc2k.png 372w)
Texas Tech freshman Jace Jung came to campus with a last name known around college baseball. By now, they’ve learned his first name too.
Niko Kavadas
Infielder, Notre Dame![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/xxh2hl7dbvintzq3mj47.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/xxh2hl7dbvintzq3mj47.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/xxh2hl7dbvintzq3mj47.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/xxh2hl7dbvintzq3mj47.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/xxh2hl7dbvintzq3mj47.png 372w)
Notre Dame senior first baseman Niko Kavadas is enjoying one of the best seasons by an Irish player in program history, leading the NCAA in homers per game.
Austin Knight
Infielder, Charlotte![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/w83cn17w4bm5mk0ol4ku.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/w83cn17w4bm5mk0ol4ku.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/w83cn17w4bm5mk0ol4ku.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/w83cn17w4bm5mk0ol4ku.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/w83cn17w4bm5mk0ol4ku.png 372w)
Austin Knight made the most of his first season with the 49ers, racking up Conference USA's Player and Newcomer of the Year awards.
Ethan Long
Infielder, Arizona State![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/wnemzejtcuwckocj27cy.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/wnemzejtcuwckocj27cy.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/wnemzejtcuwckocj27cy.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/wnemzejtcuwckocj27cy.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/wnemzejtcuwckocj27cy.png 372w)
Ty Madden
Pitcher, Texas![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/niaz2vxadgdb0iwrkfdz.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/niaz2vxadgdb0iwrkfdz.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/niaz2vxadgdb0iwrkfdz.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/niaz2vxadgdb0iwrkfdz.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/niaz2vxadgdb0iwrkfdz.png 372w)
One of the country’s top power right-handers, Ty Madden has put together a dominant season in leading Texas into the NCAA postseason.
Matt Mikulski
Pitcher, Fordham![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/fkjdvt6gteimr16vwipk.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/fkjdvt6gteimr16vwipk.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/fkjdvt6gteimr16vwipk.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/fkjdvt6gteimr16vwipk.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/fkjdvt6gteimr16vwipk.png 372w)
The 2021 Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year and Second Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball, Matt Mikulski completed one of the finest single seasons in Fordham history.
Matheu Nelson
Catcher, Florida State![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/j8s5qfmqdhimblictxe2.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/j8s5qfmqdhimblictxe2.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/j8s5qfmqdhimblictxe2.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/j8s5qfmqdhimblictxe2.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/j8s5qfmqdhimblictxe2.png 372w)
Florida State catcher Matheu Nelson was the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and one of three finalists for the Buster Posey Catcher of the Year Award.
Doug Nikhazy
Pitcher, Mississippi![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/douk1xt42l79doyxvrj6.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/douk1xt42l79doyxvrj6.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/douk1xt42l79doyxvrj6.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/douk1xt42l79doyxvrj6.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/douk1xt42l79doyxvrj6.png 372w)
Doug Nikhazy became just the fourth two-time All-American in Ole Miss history, earning first team honors with Ole Miss going 12-2 in his starts.
Connor Norby
Infielder, East Carolina![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/zja9ajyvnn0ulueeybye.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/zja9ajyvnn0ulueeybye.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/zja9ajyvnn0ulueeybye.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/zja9ajyvnn0ulueeybye.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/zja9ajyvnn0ulueeybye.png 372w)
East Carolina’s Connor Norby was named the American Athletic Conference Player-of-the-Year and a Collegiate Baseball Second-Team All-America selection.
Spencer Schwellenbach
Infielder/Pitcher, Nebraska![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/qrtcwfluzbamfvvif9bh.jpg 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/qrtcwfluzbamfvvif9bh.jpg 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/qrtcwfluzbamfvvif9bh.jpg 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/qrtcwfluzbamfvvif9bh.jpg 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/qrtcwfluzbamfvvif9bh.jpg 372w)
Big Ten Player of the Year Spencer Schwellenbach took the mound for the first time in 2021 and has been one of the top two-way players in the country.
Landon Sims
Pitcher, Mississippi State![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/fgaev6yceoictfsfhizn.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/fgaev6yceoictfsfhizn.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/fgaev6yceoictfsfhizn.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/fgaev6yceoictfsfhizn.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/fgaev6yceoictfsfhizn.png 372w)
Landon Sims started the season with a monster outing against Texas in the series opener with four perfect innings of relief and has not slowed down.
Paul Skenes
Catcher/Pitcher, Air Force![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/rpnw3gtktsf8k5beci1b.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/rpnw3gtktsf8k5beci1b.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/rpnw3gtktsf8k5beci1b.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/rpnw3gtktsf8k5beci1b.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/rpnw3gtktsf8k5beci1b.png 372w)
Air Force Academy two-way threat Paul Skenes was one of the most outstanding players in the nation as a true freshman, serving as a catcher/DH and closer.
Trey Sweeney
Infielder, Eastern Illinois![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/mjgz5ykuut1wwkmqjoz1.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/mjgz5ykuut1wwkmqjoz1.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/mjgz5ykuut1wwkmqjoz1.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/mjgz5ykuut1wwkmqjoz1.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/mjgz5ykuut1wwkmqjoz1.png 372w)
Projected to be an early round selection in the MLB Draft, Eastern Illinois’ Trey Sweeney had one of the best overall seasons in program history.
Gavin Williams
Pitcher, East Carolina![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/ulemhiopjin0dbkktbtt.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/ulemhiopjin0dbkktbtt.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/ulemhiopjin0dbkktbtt.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/ulemhiopjin0dbkktbtt.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/ulemhiopjin0dbkktbtt.png 372w)
East Carolina’s Gavin Williams was named the American Athletic Conference Player-of-the-Year and a Collegiate Baseball First-Team All-America selection.
Aaron Zavala
Outfielder, Oregon![](http://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_2208/opprops/p14sspmmrthdydvifwzj.png 2208w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1536/opprops/p14sspmmrthdydvifwzj.png 1536w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_1024/opprops/p14sspmmrthdydvifwzj.png 1024w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_640/opprops/p14sspmmrthdydvifwzj.png 640w, //img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/private/t_1x1/w_372/opprops/p14sspmmrthdydvifwzj.png 372w)
Oregon outfielder Aaron Zavala, the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year, ended the regular season with a .398 batting average, seven home runs, 34 RBI and 58 runs scored.