DURHAM, N.C. – Sophomore pitcher Tanner Burns has been named to the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List, USA Baseball announced Wednesday.
It marks the fourth straight season an Auburn player has been named to the midseason watch list. Burns joins Anfernee Grier (2016), Keegan Thompson (2017) and Casey Mize (2017-18) as former Tigers to earn the recognition.
The Decatur, Alabama, native is 4-0 with a 1.76 ERA in eight starts this season. He ranks fourth in the Southeastern Conference in strikeouts (69), tied for fourth in innings pitched (51.0) and fifth in ERA. His strikeout total is good for 13th in the NCAA, and the right-hander also ranks in the top 50 in the country in WHIP (0.84; 20th), hits allowed per nine innings (5.47; 33rd), strikeouts per nine innings (12.18; 38th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.75, 49th).
Burns was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week for the first time in his career after matching the program's single-game strikeout record with 15 vs. Cincinnati on Mar. 1. He turned in a complete-game shutout and only faced two batters over the minimum in the contest.
The midseason watch list features 40 of the nation's top amateur players from the high school and college ranks. The Golden Spikes Award Advisory Board will continue to maintain a rolling list of athletes, allowing players to play themselves into consideration for the award before announcing the semifinalists on May 15.
Fan voting will once again be a part of the Golden Spikes Award in 2019. Beginning with the semifinalist announcement and continuing through the finalist round voting deadline, fans from across the country will be able to vote for their favorite player on GoldenSpikesAward.com.
Presented in partnership with the Rod Dedeaux Foundation, the winner of the 42nd Golden Spikes Award will be announced on June 14.
USA Baseball has partnered with the Rod Dedeaux Foundation to host the Golden Spikes Award since 2013. The Foundation was formed to honor legendary University of Southern California and USA Baseball Olympic team coach, Rod Dedeaux, and supports youth baseball and softball programs in underserved communities throughout Southern California.
The 2019 Golden Spikes Award timeline:
- May 15: USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award semifinalists announced, voting begins
- May 26: USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award semifinalists voting ends
- May 29: USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award finalists announced, voting begins
- June 10: USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award finalists voting ends
- June 14: USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award trophy presentation