CARY, N.C. – Junior right-handed pitcher Joseph Gonzalez has been named to the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List, USA Baseball announced Friday.
Gonzalez's recognition on the preseason watch list marks the fifth for an Auburn pitcher in the last six years, joining Casey Mize (2018), Tanner Burns (2019, 2020) and Richard Fitts (2021). It marks the ninth time an Auburn player has been named to be named to the preseason watch list since 2008.
The preseason watch list includes 55 student-athletes from the ranks of high school and college baseball, including 17 from the Southeastern Conference. Moving forward, the Golden Spikes Award Advisory Board will maintain the award's watch list on a rolling basis, allowing student-athletes to play themselves into consideration for the award based on their performance throughout the season.
The 2023 Golden Spikes Award timeline is as follows.
April 5: Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List announced
May 22: Golden Spikes Award semifinalists announced and fan voting begins
June 5: Golden Spikes Award semifinalists fan voting ends
June 7: Golden Spikes Award finalists announced and fan voting begins
June 21: Golden Spikes Award finalists fan voting ends
June 25: Golden Spikes Award winner announced
For Gonzalez, the recognition comes after a sophomore season during which he led Auburn with seven wins and a 3.22 ERA, which registered seventh best in the SEC.
In four SEC starts from Apr. 2-24, Gonzalez went 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA and walked just two batters in 30.0 innings. He became the first Auburn pitcher to throw a complete game in SEC play since 2018 and earned SEC Pitcher of the Week honors for his effort versus Vanderbilt on Apr. 10. At the end of his four-week stretch, he stood as the first Auburn pitcher to turn in four straight quality starts since 2018 and the first to win four straight SEC starts since 2015.
Following Auburn's run to Omaha for the second time in the last three postseasons, Gonzalez went on to pitch for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and helped lead the Stars and Stripes to a bronze medal. Gonzalez didn't allow an earned run and struck out 13 batters without issuing a walk in 11.2 innings during training camp and international competition.
Gonzalez and the Tigers open the 2023 season with a three-game series against Indiana beginning Friday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. CT at Plainsman Park. Season tickets have been sold out for the third straight season, but limited single-game tickets and mini plan options remain. Visit aubtix.com to check available inventory.
Joseph Gonzalez earns spot on Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
