CARY, N.C. – Senior first baseman Sonny DiChiara has been named to the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List, USA Baseball announced Tuesday afternoon.
DiChiara is one of 45 players across the country named to the watch list, including 11 from the Southeastern Conference. He becomes Auburn's sixth midseason watch list honoree since 2016, joining Anfernee Grier (2016), Keegan Thompson (2017), Casey Mize (2017, '18) and Tanner Burns (2019).
The Golden Spikes Award Advisory Board will continue to maintain a rolling list of athletes, allowing players to play themselves into consideration for the award before announcing the semifinalists on May 24. The winner of the 44th Golden Spikes Award will be announced on Friday, June 24, on ESPN.
2022 Golden Spikes Award Timeline:
May 24: USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award semifinalists announced, fan voting begins
June 6: USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award semifinalists fan voting ends
June 8: USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award finalists announced, fan voting begins
June 14: USA Baseball Golden Spikes award finalists fan voting ends
June 24: USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award trophy presentation
In his first season playing in the SEC, DiChiara not only leads the league, but also leads the country in batting average (.461) and on-base percentage (.616) while ranking second in the NCAA in slugging percentage (.921). Additionally, DiChiara leads the SEC in walks with 28 and has reached base multiple times in 22 of 24 games played, including three or more times in 16 games. His on-base percentage is 25 points higher than anyone else in America.
A native of Hoover, Alabama, DiChiara leads Auburn in home runs (eight) and is tied for the team lead in doubles (11). He recently hit his eighth home run of the season in a career-best, four-hit effort in the series finale at No. 12 LSU, marking his 49th career homer. His 49 career long balls are the third most among active players.
A transfer from Samford, it didn't take the senior slugger long to transition to SEC play as he hit a homer in his first at-bat of conference play and each of his first two league games. DiChiara currently leads the league with a .609 on-base percentage and is second with a .433 average in SEC games.
Earlier this season, DiChiara was named a Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week after going 8-for-13 with three doubles, three homers and seven RBI in four games against Troy and Yale from Feb. 23-26.
DiChiara and the No. 25 Tigers (19-9, 5-4 SEC) are scheduled to take on UAB (19-8, 5-4 C-USA) in Birmingham tonight before hosting No. 12 Vanderbilt (20-7, 4-5 SEC) for a three-game series this weekend.
DiChiara named to Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List
