DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Florida catcher Mike Zunino, Stanford right-hander Mark Appel and North Carolina State lefty Carlos Rodon have been selected as finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation’s top amateur player.
Zunino, a junior, was taken by Seattle with the third overall draft pick Monday night. Known for his exceptional skills behind the plate, Zunino is also hitting .316 with 18 homers and 60 RBIs for the top-ranked Gators.
Appel is 10-1 with a 2.27 ERA while helping lead Stanford to the super regionals. He was drafted eighth overall by Pittsburgh.
Rodon is one of the nation’s top freshmen, going 9-0 with a 1.61 ERA for the Wolfpack.
The winner will be announced by MLB Network on July 6. UCLA pitcher Trevor Bauer won the award last year.
