University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Farquhar Named to Golden Spikes Watch
2/16/2008 6:00:00 AM | Baseball
DURHAM, N.C. - Junior right-handed pitcher Danny Farquhar (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) was one of the 75 players named to the Golden Spikes Award Watch List presented by USA Baseball. The watch list marks USA Baseball's first step toward identifying the top player in college baseball.
The announcement marks the second major award watch list to feature Farquhar. On Thursday, Farquhar was one of 40 players named to the fourth annual National College Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Watch List.
The initial list ? the first ever of its kind for the Golden Spikes Award ? features 75 of the nation's top collegiate talents, as nominated by baseball sports information directors across the country. The watch list will also be “rolling” to ensure that athletes who play themselves into consideration by USA Baseball for the Golden Spikes Award are not ignored. The Golden Spikes Award is sponsored by Major League Baseball, and 2008 marks the 31st installment of the award.
On May 20, USA Baseball officials will cut the watch list of players to 50 names. The final list of 50 will then be sent to a voting body consisting of select professional baseball personnel, past USA Baseball National Team coaches, select members of the media, former USA Baseball sports information directors, and current USA Baseball staff - close to 150 voters in total.
Additionally, for the first time ever, fan voting will be a part of the Golden Spikes Award in 2008. May 20 will also mark the day when college baseball fans from across the country will be able to vote for their favorite player for the Golden Spikes Award on www.usabaseball.com. As part of this May selection process all voters will be asked to choose five players from the list of 50 names. On June 3, USA Baseball will announce the five finalists, and voting will once again commence that same day.
Last season, Farquhar earned second team All-Sun Belt honors after posting a 6-3 record on the mound. He started the season as a closer before making his way into the starting role, recording a team-best six saves. Farquhar also struck out 115 batters, while walking just 22 in 87 2/3 innings of work. He finished the season ranked ninth among NCAA Division I pitchers in strikeouts per nine innings.
Earlier this week, the junior was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference team and was named the league's Preseason Pitcher of the Year. In December, Farquhar was named to the 2008 Brooks Wallace Award Watch List.
Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information contacts. The initial list will be updated with a mid-season release the week of April 14, including national saves leaders. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, May 28, prior to start of NCAA regional tournament competition.
The NCBWA's All-America Committee will then select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced Wednesday, June 4, before the opening of NCAA super regional play. The NCBWA, founded in 1962, also presents the Dick Howser Trophy to the nation's top player in addition to naming a Division I All-America Team, Division I and Division III Players of the Week, Division I District Players of the Year and Division III Players of the Year.
