University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH
DeCaro Named Golden Spikes Semifinalist
May 14, 2026 | Baseball
CARY, N.C. – Carolina baseball ace Jason DeCaro was named among the 25 best players in the nation as a semifinalist for the 2026 Golden Spikes Award, USA baseball announced on Thursday afternoon.
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The Tar Heels' Friday starter joins an elite company of UNC hurlers to make the list alongside the likes of Jake Knapp, J.B. Bukauskas, Kent Emmanuel, and Robert Woodard. He is the fifth different pitcher and 11th player overall in program history receive the honor.
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He, Knapp, and Vance Honeycutt give Carolina a player on the list three years running for the first time since the 2007-09 seasons. DeCaro is the only pitcher from the Atlantic Coast Conference to earn the honor in 2026.
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DeCaro's 1.91ERA leads all ACC starters and is second only to his teammate Caden Glauber's 1.84 mark. In his stellar junior campaign, he has compiled a 9-2 record with two shutouts, 61 strikeouts, and a .236 opposing batting average.
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He recently surpassed 200 career strikeouts, the first Carolina pitcher to hit that mark in seven years. His nine wins gives him the sixth most in the country.
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Fan voting will again play a part in the Golden Spikes Award in 2026. Following today's semifinalist announcement, fans can vote for DeCaro at GoldenSpikesAward.com to help determine the finalists. USA Baseball will announce the finalists for the award on June 10.
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The 48th Golden Spikes Award will be presented on June 29 on MLB Network at 7:30 p.m. ET. Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. The award is given each year to the player who best exhibits exceptional on-field ability, exemplary sportsmanship and character, and an overall positive contribution to the sport.
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The Tar Heels' Friday starter joins an elite company of UNC hurlers to make the list alongside the likes of Jake Knapp, J.B. Bukauskas, Kent Emmanuel, and Robert Woodard. He is the fifth different pitcher and 11th player overall in program history receive the honor.
Â
He, Knapp, and Vance Honeycutt give Carolina a player on the list three years running for the first time since the 2007-09 seasons. DeCaro is the only pitcher from the Atlantic Coast Conference to earn the honor in 2026.
Â
DeCaro's 1.91ERA leads all ACC starters and is second only to his teammate Caden Glauber's 1.84 mark. In his stellar junior campaign, he has compiled a 9-2 record with two shutouts, 61 strikeouts, and a .236 opposing batting average.
Â
He recently surpassed 200 career strikeouts, the first Carolina pitcher to hit that mark in seven years. His nine wins gives him the sixth most in the country.
Â
Fan voting will again play a part in the Golden Spikes Award in 2026. Following today's semifinalist announcement, fans can vote for DeCaro at GoldenSpikesAward.com to help determine the finalists. USA Baseball will announce the finalists for the award on June 10.
Â
The 48th Golden Spikes Award will be presented on June 29 on MLB Network at 7:30 p.m. ET. Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. The award is given each year to the player who best exhibits exceptional on-field ability, exemplary sportsmanship and character, and an overall positive contribution to the sport.
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