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Ballinger Placed on 2026 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
2/6/2026 2:00:00 PM | Baseball
CARY, N.C. – Kansas baseball junior Brady Ballinger has earned a spot on the 2026 Golden Spikes Preseason Watch List, USA Baseball announced on Friday.
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Ballinger is one of 55 players across high school and college baseball to be named to the watch list that annually recognizes the top amateur baseball player in the country. He is the first Kansas player to be on the Golden Spikes Preseason Watch List since Tony Thompson in 2010.
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In the last month, Ballinger has been named a Preseason All-American by four different publications and a Top 100 prospect for the 2026 MLB Draft by Baseball America.
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A season ago, Ballinger led the way offensively for the Jayhawks. That included batting average (.353), walks (56), slugging percentage (.670), on-base percentage (.495), OPS (1.165), runs scored (71), hits (79), doubles (21), total bases (150), multi-hit games (24) and multi-walk games (16).
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Ballinger's 56 walks were the most in the Big 12 and 14th best in the nation, while his 71 runs were tied for the most in the conference and set a new school record by a sophomore. His runs total, walks, home runs, total bases, on-base percentage and doubles all ranked in the Top 10 for a single season at Kansas.
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The preseason list includes 55 players across high school and college baseball based on their body of work from the previous year. The Golden Spikes Advisory Board will maintain the award's watch list on a rolling basis, allowing athletes to play themselves into consideration for the award based on in-season performance.
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About Golden Spikes Award
Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. The award, which will be presented on MLB Network beginning in 2026, goes to the amateur baseball player who exhibits exceptional athletic
ability and exemplary sportsmanship. The 2025 Golden Spikes Award winner is Wehiwa Aloy from the University of Arkansas. Winners of this prestigious award from the past 20 years include Major League Baseball All-Stars such as Adley Rutschman ('19), Andrew Benintendi ('15), Kris Bryant ('13), Mike Zunino ('12), Trevor Bauer ('11), Bryce Harper ('10), Stephen Strasburg ('09), Buster Posey ('08), David Price ('07), Tim Lincecum ('06), Alex Gordon ('05), and Jered Weaver ('04). Fans can follow the Golden Spikes Award on Instagram and Twitter/X @USAGoldenSpikes.
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Ballinger is one of 55 players across high school and college baseball to be named to the watch list that annually recognizes the top amateur baseball player in the country. He is the first Kansas player to be on the Golden Spikes Preseason Watch List since Tony Thompson in 2010.
Â
In the last month, Ballinger has been named a Preseason All-American by four different publications and a Top 100 prospect for the 2026 MLB Draft by Baseball America.
Â
A season ago, Ballinger led the way offensively for the Jayhawks. That included batting average (.353), walks (56), slugging percentage (.670), on-base percentage (.495), OPS (1.165), runs scored (71), hits (79), doubles (21), total bases (150), multi-hit games (24) and multi-walk games (16).
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Ballinger's 56 walks were the most in the Big 12 and 14th best in the nation, while his 71 runs were tied for the most in the conference and set a new school record by a sophomore. His runs total, walks, home runs, total bases, on-base percentage and doubles all ranked in the Top 10 for a single season at Kansas.
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The preseason list includes 55 players across high school and college baseball based on their body of work from the previous year. The Golden Spikes Advisory Board will maintain the award's watch list on a rolling basis, allowing athletes to play themselves into consideration for the award based on in-season performance.
Â
About Golden Spikes Award
Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. The award, which will be presented on MLB Network beginning in 2026, goes to the amateur baseball player who exhibits exceptional athletic
ability and exemplary sportsmanship. The 2025 Golden Spikes Award winner is Wehiwa Aloy from the University of Arkansas. Winners of this prestigious award from the past 20 years include Major League Baseball All-Stars such as Adley Rutschman ('19), Andrew Benintendi ('15), Kris Bryant ('13), Mike Zunino ('12), Trevor Bauer ('11), Bryce Harper ('10), Stephen Strasburg ('09), Buster Posey ('08), David Price ('07), Tim Lincecum ('06), Alex Gordon ('05), and Jered Weaver ('04). Fans can follow the Golden Spikes Award on Instagram and Twitter/X @USAGoldenSpikes.
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Players Mentioned
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