University of North Carolina Athletics
Emanuel, Moran Named To Golden Spikes Award Watch List
February 16, 2012 | Baseball
Feb. 16, 2012
DURHAM, N.C. - USA Baseball released its 2012 Preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List on Thursday and it included a pair of Tar Heels as sophomores Kent Emanuel and Colin Moran were named to the initial list. Emanuel and Moran both earned Freshman All-America honors a year ago in helping Carolina to the College World Series for the fifth time in six years.
The watch list features 50 of the nation's top amateur players, and it will be a "rolling" list to ensure that athletes can play themselves into consideration for the award. The Golden Spikes Award trophy will be awarded live at MLB Network's studios for the second year in a row, with a presentation scheduled for Major League Baseball's All-Star Week, July 9-13 (specific date to be announced).
Moran earned Baseball America Freshman of the Year honors a year ago for his performance for the Tar Heels, while also picking up several All-America honors. Emanuel became Carolina's Saturday starter and posted a 9-1 record with a 2.33 ERA as a freshman.
Following the release of a second, 60-player watch list on Tuesday, May 1, USA Baseball officials will announce the 30 semifinalists for the 2012 Golden Spikes Award on Tuesday, May 29. The list of 30 will then be sent to a voting body consisting of past USA Baseball National Team coaches and press officers, members of media that closely follow the amateur game, select professional baseball personnel and current USA Baseball staff, representing a group of more than 200 voters in total.
Fan voting will once again be a part of the Golden Spikes Award in 2012. Tuesday, May 29 marks the day when amateur baseball fans from across the country will be able to vote for their favorite semifinalist on GoldenSpikesAward.com. As part of this selection process all voters will be asked to choose three players from the list of 30 names. On Tuesday, June 5, USA Baseball will announce the three finalists, and voting will once again commence that same day.
Moran and Emanuel along with the Tar Heels open the season Friday, Feb. 17 when they host Xavier in a three-game series that is set to begin at 3 p.m.
