University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Eric Miller
USA Baseball Names Meyer to Golden Spikes Award Watch List
2/7/2019 2:35:00 PM | Baseball
DURHAM, N.C. – Preseason recognition continues to roll in for Minnesota sophomore Max Meyer as Thursday, USA Baseball named the pitcher/outfielder to the official preseason watch list for its Golden Spikes Award for the top amateur baseball player in the country.
Meyer is just the second Golden Gopher to achieve preseason recognition in the 42-year history of the award with Tom Windle ('13) the last to earn the honor in 2013.
Meyer competed with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this past summer, collecting seven saves in eight appearances. He led the way for Team USA, striking out 15 batters in just 8.0 innings. Meyer has received Preseason All-America recognition from Collegiate Baseball News, D1Baseball.com, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), and Perfect Game already in 2019.
The right-hander from Woodbury, Minnesota will expand his role this spring, competing in the outfield while also anchoring the Maroon & Gold bullpen. Last year, he matched Minnesota's program record with 16 saves in 26 appearances, posting a 2.06 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 32.2 innings. He allowed less than one baserunner per inning (0.94), holding opponents to just a .163 batting average. After collecting the third-most saves in the nation last year, Meyer earned the title of Freshman Relief Pitcher of the Year from Collegiate Baseball and helped the Gophers win the NCAA Minneapolis Regional.
The list contains 55 student athletes representing 44 universities and 18 conferences including 2018 Golden Spikes Award winner Andrew Vaughn of California. A midseason watch list follows on April 10 with semifinalists announced on May 15. At that time, fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite players at GoldenSpikesAward.com.
Meyer and the Gophers open the season next Friday, Feb. 15 against a fellow NCAA Tournament team from 2018 in Gonzaga at the College Baseball Classic in Surprise, Arizona. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Meyer is just the second Golden Gopher to achieve preseason recognition in the 42-year history of the award with Tom Windle ('13) the last to earn the honor in 2013.
Meyer competed with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this past summer, collecting seven saves in eight appearances. He led the way for Team USA, striking out 15 batters in just 8.0 innings. Meyer has received Preseason All-America recognition from Collegiate Baseball News, D1Baseball.com, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), and Perfect Game already in 2019.
The right-hander from Woodbury, Minnesota will expand his role this spring, competing in the outfield while also anchoring the Maroon & Gold bullpen. Last year, he matched Minnesota's program record with 16 saves in 26 appearances, posting a 2.06 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 32.2 innings. He allowed less than one baserunner per inning (0.94), holding opponents to just a .163 batting average. After collecting the third-most saves in the nation last year, Meyer earned the title of Freshman Relief Pitcher of the Year from Collegiate Baseball and helped the Gophers win the NCAA Minneapolis Regional.
The list contains 55 student athletes representing 44 universities and 18 conferences including 2018 Golden Spikes Award winner Andrew Vaughn of California. A midseason watch list follows on April 10 with semifinalists announced on May 15. At that time, fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite players at GoldenSpikesAward.com.
Meyer and the Gophers open the season next Friday, Feb. 15 against a fellow NCAA Tournament team from 2018 in Gonzaga at the College Baseball Classic in Surprise, Arizona. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT.
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