Oregon State junior catcher Adley Rutschman is one of four finalists for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, USA Baseball announced on Wednesday. The honor continues a big day for Rutschman, who was named the Pac-12’s Player of the Year in addition to earning Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors. Rutschman will now have an opportunity to be recognized as the amateur player of the year. The Sherwood, Ore., native is a prime contender for the honor, thanks to a .419 batting average (fourth nationally), a national-best .580 on-base percentage and .765 slugging percentage. He also leads the nation with 73 walks, and has a career-best 17 home runs with 57 runs batted in, nine doubles and 56 runs scored. He is joined by fellow finalists JJ Bleday from Vanderbilt, Andrew Vaughn of California and Noah Song of Navy. Rutschman is the second Golden Spikes finalist in Oregon State’s history, joining Michael Conforto from 2014.
Oregon Junior infielder Spencer Steer and junior right-handed pitcher Ryne Nelson have been named first-team All-Pac-12 in a vote of the conference’s coaches, while Steer was also named to the All-Defensive Team. Oregon State’s Junior Left handed pitcher Jake Mullholland was also named to the Pac Twelve team with Rutcshman.
