Three from SEC are finalists for prestigious awards

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 8, 2023)-----Florida's Jac Caglianone and LSU's Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes have been named finalists for the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy, according to separate announcements this week.

The trio were named the three finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, which is presented to the top amateur baseball player in the nation who best exhibits exceptional on-field ability and exemplary sportsmanship. The winner of the 45th Golden Spikes Award will be announced June 25 at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN leading into game two of the College World Series finals.

Caglianone, Crews and Skenes were among five finalists for the Dick Howser Trophy presented by The Game Headwear as the national player of the year. The winner will be announced June 15 on MLB Network during the 10 a.m. ET hour.

Caglianone is a two-way player for No. 2 Florida. He leads the nation with 31 home runs, which is a program record, and ranks first in the league with 194 total bases. He was voted All-SEC First Team by the SEC head coaches. He also owns seven wins on the mound this season.

Crews was voted the SEC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. He has reached base in all 61 of LSU's games this season, and he is among the national leaders in on-base percentage (.573), runs scored (87) and batting average (.432).

Skenes is 11-2 this season with a 1.90 ERA, which is fourth-lowest in the country. He leads the nation with 179 strikeouts in 99.1 innings pitched. Skenes has 10 outings of allowing one or zero runs this season, and he was a three-time SEC Pitcher of the Week honoree.

Kevin Kopps of Arkansas (2021) was the SEC's most recent winner of the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy.

Caglianone, Crews and Skenes are slated to compete in the NCAA Super Regionals this weekend. Florida plays host to South Carolina in a series that begins Friday, while LSU plays host to Kentucky beginning Saturday.