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The star catcher and power hitter of the Miami Hurricanes, Zack Collins, has officially been named to the 2016 Golden Spikes watchlist. The Golden Spikes award is the annual honor given to the top amateur baseball player in the United States. It's the second year in a row that Collins has been named to the preseason watchlist.
After a freshman season in which Collins was given numerous freshman accolades for his play, he managed to take another step forward in every discernible category during his sophomore season in 2015. He finished last season as a member of the All-Atlantic Region and All-ACC first teams after hitting .302/.445/.587 with 15 home runs and 70 runs batted in.
Collins is attempting to become the first Miami player to win the award since former Cane, and long-time Philadelphia Phillies star, Pat Burrell, won the award back in 1998. Since Burrell brought home the hardware, the ACC has had two others winners: Khalil Greene, Clemson (2002) and Buster Posey, Florida State (2008).