DURHAM, N.C.—Southeastern University senior Dan Valerio has been named to the 2019 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List, announced today by USA Baseball.
The 42nd Golden Spikes Award will be presented on June 14th to the top amateur baseball player in the country for the 2019 season.
Valerio is one of just two NAIA players on the list of 55 that range from all levels of college baseball as well as high school players. Only five non-NCAA Division I players are on the list. Former MLB pitcher Alex Fernandez (1990) and current pro Bryce Harper (2010) are the only non-Division I players to win the Golden Spikes.
“It’s an honor; it gives me chills,” said Valerio. “From where I’ve come from to where I am now has been a long road with a lot of hard work to get where I am today.”
USA Baseball will release a midseason watch list on April 10th. Semifinalists will be announced on May 15th, with fans able to vote for their favorite players at GoldenSpikesAward.com at that time.
Valerio is just the second Sun Conference player to ever make the watch list, joining Keiser’s Keivan Berges in 2016.
“This is a huge honor and we’re extremely proud of Dan and what he’s done for our program,” said coach Adrian Dinkle. “We hope he continues to build on his success and help his team continue to be successful.”
Last season, Valerio helped the Fire become the first team from Florida to win the Avista-NAIA World Series by leading the team in batting average (.390), doubles (27), and RBIs (84). The Tinton Falls, N.J. native also stole 29 bases, and homerd 17 times.
The Fire host Webber International on Friday at 6:30 p.m. to open Sun Conference play.