NASHVILLE, Tenn. — RJ Austin was named to the preseason watch list for the Golden Spikes Award presented by Chinook Seedery, USA Baseball announced Friday.
The watch list begins the process of identifying the best amateur baseball player in the nation for the 2025 season. The preseason list includes 55 players across high school and college baseball.
Austin led the Commodores in batting average, runs, hits, RBI and stolen bases as a sophomore in 2024. He was named to the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List and the 2024 SEC Community Service team. The Atlanta native helped lead Vanderbilt to the SEC Tournament championship as a freshman in 2023, earning tournament MVP honors along with a selection to the all-tournament team.
Austin was named to the 2025 SEC Preseason All-Conference second team on Wednesday and earned Preseason All-America honors from Baseball America on Tuesday.
David Price became the first Commodore to win the Golden Spikes Award in 2007. Eight Commodores have been named finalists for the award, most recently Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker in 2021.
Vandy opens the season Feb. 14-16 at the MLB Desert Invitational in Phoenix. The home opener is set for Feb. 18 vs. Air Force at Hawkins Field.