Texas' Ivan Melendez named Golden Spikes Award winner
Every season, the Golden Spikes Award is given to the top amateur baseball player, mainly coming from college baseball, with 1983 being the first edition. The 2022 award was announced on Friday, with Texas‘ Ivan Melendez becoming the program’s first player to ever win.
Melendez was unstoppable for the Longhorns this season, being the first player to hit 30 or more home runs since Kris Bryant did so in 2013. The current Colorado Rockies star also won the Golden Spike Award, giving Melendez good company.
After being drafted in the 16th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Melendez opted to return to Austin and play another year for Texas. The gamble paid off, hitting a smidge under .400 on the season while adding 32 home runs and 94 RBIs.
Texas baseball put together a special video for the announcement, putting music from the movie, “Titanic” in the background. Melendez has the nickname ‘The Hispanic Titanic’ and lived up to the expectations this season.
USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler said what Melendez did in college baseball was one to “remember” after being named the Golden Spikes Award winner. He had nothing but praise for the Texas slugger as he becomes the 44th player to win the award.
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“Ivan Melendez put together a season to remember for baseball fans,” Seiler said in a statement. “He became one of the most feared hitters in college baseball this year thanks to consistent and staggering power numbers, and he made every at-bat a must-see event. We are honored to celebrate Ivan and his record-breaking accomplishments by naming him our forty-fourth Golden Spikes Award winner.”
From a team perspective, Melendez helped Texas finish fifth in the Big 12 and make the conference tournament final. From there, the Longhorns were able to win the Austin Regional and survive a ruckus atmosphere against East Carolina in a Super Regional. The program made a 38th appearance at the College World Series.
Winning a national championship was the ultimate goal but it was a quick two-and-out for Texas in Omaha.
Nonetheless, Melendez was the surefire best player in college baseball this season. He broke the Texas single-season record for home runs and helped the team reach the College World Series once again. A special season for a truly special player.