University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
DeCaro & Gallaher Named To Golden Spikes Preseason Watch List
February 6, 2026 | Baseball
CARY, N.C. - North Carolina baseball's star juniors Jason DeCaro and Gavin Gallaher were chosen among the 55 honorees for the 2026 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List, USA Baseball announced on Friday afternoon.Â
The duo have been key contributors for the Diamond Heels from the moment they stepped on campus and are now being identified as two of the best players in college baseball ahead of the 2026 season. UNC is one of 13 schools to have two players featured on the list. DeCaro is one of eight players to an appearance on the preseason list for the second consecutive year.Â
The North Port, N.Y., native DeCaro adds another preseason award to his bio to go along with his three All-America nods in 2026. He was named second team All-ACC in 2025 thanks to a 9-3 record with a 3.78 ERA. He was second on the team in innings thrown (83.1) while racking up 70 strikeouts on just 26 walks.
Gallaher, expected to be the engine behind the Carolina offense this season,  slashed .325/.409/.603 in 2025 with 17 home runs while leading the team in hits (77) and RBIs (68). A nuclear run in the postseason earned him a second consecutive Chapel Hill Regional Most Outstanding Player award.
The pair and their teammates return to Boshamer Stadium on Friday, Feb. 13 for their season opener against Indiana.
The duo have been key contributors for the Diamond Heels from the moment they stepped on campus and are now being identified as two of the best players in college baseball ahead of the 2026 season. UNC is one of 13 schools to have two players featured on the list. DeCaro is one of eight players to an appearance on the preseason list for the second consecutive year.Â
The North Port, N.Y., native DeCaro adds another preseason award to his bio to go along with his three All-America nods in 2026. He was named second team All-ACC in 2025 thanks to a 9-3 record with a 3.78 ERA. He was second on the team in innings thrown (83.1) while racking up 70 strikeouts on just 26 walks.
Gallaher, expected to be the engine behind the Carolina offense this season,  slashed .325/.409/.603 in 2025 with 17 home runs while leading the team in hits (77) and RBIs (68). A nuclear run in the postseason earned him a second consecutive Chapel Hill Regional Most Outstanding Player award.
The pair and their teammates return to Boshamer Stadium on Friday, Feb. 13 for their season opener against Indiana.
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