UCLA baseball’s No. 1 starting pitcher and No. 1 reliever were added to the watch list for the highest award in collegiate baseball Tuesday.
James Kaprielian – the leader of UCLA’s rotation – and David Berg – the Bruins’ closer – were named to the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award watch list, which includes 50 collegiate players from across the country.
The Golden Spikes Award annually recognizes the top amateur baseball player in the country. Since the award’s inception in 1978, notable winners have been reigning Cy Young winning pitchers Tim Lincecum and David Pricen, as well as perennial All-Stars Alex Gordon and catcher Buster Posey.
UCLA has one Golden Spikes winner in its program history, as pitcher Trevor Bauer won it in 2011. This year, both of UCLA’s candidates on the watch list are upperclassmen pitchers, in the junior, Kaprielian, and the senior, Berg.
Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.