Preseason odds released for 2024 Golden Spikes Award winner

Opening day is inching closer, with college baseball season right around the corner. As teams begin official practice and ramp up for the 2024 campaign, preseason awards and accolades are rolling in. And plenty of eyes are already on the potential contenders for the 2024 Golden Spikes Award.

The Golden Spikes Award is given annually to the top amateur baseball player in the country. LSU outfielder and No. 2 overall pick Dylan Crews won the prestigious award last season.

This year’s crop of favorites includes some familiar faces, with some new challengers emerging as well. But in what is such a long season, players have plenty of time to build their cases as the season progresses.

For now, here are the early odds for the 2024 Golden Spikes Award winner, courtesy of FanDuel.

These odds are as of Monday, January 29.

Florida 1B/LHP Jac Caglianone +470

It’s no surprise to see Jac Caglianone as the favorite to take home the Golden Spikes Award. A two-way star and top MLB Draft prospect, Caglianone emerged as one of college baseball’s best last season.

In 2023, he had highs and lows in 18 starts on the mound, pitching to a 4.34 ERA in 74.2 innings. At the plate, he hit .323 with 33 home runs and 90 RBI. Florida is one of the top teams entering the 2024 season, in large part due to Caglianone.

Wake Forest 1B Nick Kurtz +750

While Wake Forest lost a lot in the offseason, they also return a ton of talent, headlined by Nick Kurtz. After hitting .338 in 2022, Kurtz became even more productive last season as a key part of the Demon Deacons’ lineup.

During the 2023 campaign, Kurtz hit .349 with 22 home runs and 64 RBI.

West Virginia IF JJ Wetherholt +750

JJ Wetherholt has a chance to be the top player selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, and for good reason. A key anchor in the West Virginia infield, it’s hard to describe just how good he was in 2023.

Last season, Wetherholt took college baseball by storm. He hit .449 with 16 home runs and 60 RBI on the year.

Oregon State 2B Travis Bazzana +1200

Another top college prospect in the 2024 MLB Draft class, Travis Bazzana has been incredibly productive during his career at Oregon State.

Last season, he was one of the best hitters in the country with his .374 average, also talllying 11 home runs with 55 RBI for the Beavers.

LSU 3B Tommy White +1500

Last season was Tommy White’s first at LSU after transferring in from NC State, and he made it count. The power hitting slugger hit .374 with 24 home runs and 105 RBI.

LSU loses some notable pieces, including last year’s Golden Spikes winner Dylan Crews. But if White again becomes one of the top power bats in college baseball, he has a legitimate shot to bring the award back to Baton Rouge again.

Georgia 1B/OF Charlie Condon +1500

Charlie Condon saw his first action in Athens last season, and he immediately became one of the top hitters in the country. On the year, Condon hit .386 with 25 home runs and 67 RBI, earning National Freshman of the Year honors by multiple outlets.

Georgia fans are hoping last year was just the beginning. If Condon puts up similar, or even better, production in 2024, he will undoubtedly be in the Golden Spikes Award conversation.

Stanford C Malcolm Moore +1600

Malcolm Moore was another one of college baseball’s top freshmen last season. The Freshman All-American hit .311 on the year, with 15 home runs and 63 RBI.

That production is impressive in itself, but even moreso for a freshman catcher. In his sophomore campaign, Moore will need to retain that production as a key part of Stanford’s lineup.

South Carolina OF Ethan Petry +1700

Another Freshman All-American last season, Ethan Petry truly had a remarkable year for South Carolina. The big-framed power hitter had 23 home runs with 75 RBI, but he also hit for an incredible average at .376.

Expectations are understandably high yet again for Petry in 2024. It would not be surprising whatsoever if he puts up a similar campaign and is in the discussion for the best player in college baseball.

North Carolina OF Vance Honeycutt +1900

Vance Honeycutt was one of college baseball’s best players as a freshman in 2022, where he hit .296 with 25 home runs and 57 RBI. He dealt with an injury late last season, putting an early end to a season that didn’t go how he planned.

Hitting .257 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI in 2023, Honeycutt is hoping to rebound in 2024. And if he does, the five-tool centerfielder could be a top five pick in the MLB Draft.

Texas A&M OF/RHP Braden Montgomery +2600

Texas A&M might have won the transfer portal by adding Braden Montgomery in the offseason. While Montgomery struggled on the mound at Stanford last year, he was again one of the country’s top hitters.

In 2023, he hit .336 with 17 home runs and 61 RBI. And while his pitching has room for improvement, Montgomery was a home run addition for the Aggies.

Remaining favorites to win 2024 Golden Spikes Award

Northeastern OF Mike Sirota +2600
Wake Forest LHP Josh Hartle +2800
Wake Forest IF/OF Seaver King +2800
East Carolina RHP Trey Yesavage +2800
Oklahoma State OF/RHP Carson Benge +2900
Mississippi State OF Dakota Jordan +2900
Arkansas LHP Hagen Smith +3100
LSU RHP Thatcher Hurd +3700
Iowa RHP Brody Brecht +3700
Wake Forest RHP Chase Burns +3700
Troy OF Shane Lewis +4100
Cal C Caleb Lomavita +4400
Clemson OF Cam Cannarella +4800
Clemson OF Will Taylor +5000
Florida State 3B Cam Smith +5000
NC State C Jacob Cozart +5000
TCU LHP/DH Payton Tolle +5000
Cal OF Rodney Green Jr. +5000
Kansas State RHP Tyson Neighbors +5000