Bregman a finalist for Golden Spikes Award

LSU junior shortstop Alex Bregman is one of four finalists for the 2015 Golden Spikes Award, USA Baseball announced Tuesday.
The award, which is sponsored by Major League Baseball, will be presented to the nation’s top amateur baseball player for the 38th consecutive season.
Of the 21 semifinalists that were voted on by a committee of more than 200, Bregman, Andrew Benintendi, an outfielder from Arkansas; Carson Fulmer, a right-handed pitcher from Vanderbilt; and Dansby Swanson, a shortstop from Vanderbilt; were named finalists.
This past weekend, all three teams won their respective NCAA regionals and will advance to the Super Regional round of the tournament. Arkansas and LSU each will host their own super regional, while Vanderbilt will travel to compete in the super regional at Illinois.
As a result of their standout collegiate careers, all four finalists are expected to be selected in the first round of Major League Baseball’s Draft Monday.
Bregman was voted a 2015 Golden Spikes Award finalist after an impressive season at the plate and in the field. His bat led the way for LSU’s offense throughout the 2015 season, posting a batting average of .323 and slugging percentage of .557. He led the Tigers in runs scored (55) and walks (36) and finished the season with a .420 on-base percentage.
The junior also leads the Southeastern Conference in stolen bases (34) and doubles (22).
In the field, his solid defensive work at shortstop ranks him first in the conference with 206 assists.
In his debut season with LSU, Bregman earned 2013 Freshman of the Year honors and the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year award, which he is also a candidate for this year. He is a four-time USA Baseball National Team alum, as well as a First-Team All-SEC and First-Team All-American selection.
The award presentation will air on ESPN’s flagship program, SportsCenter, for the second consecutive year in a time to be determined.
Following the award’s announcement June 23, the finalists will be celebrated at the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles as part of the 2015 Rod Dedeaux Award Dinner.
Hosted by the Rod Dedeaux Foundation, the dinner will honor the Golden Spikes Award finalists, the Rod Dedeaux Award winner and the Rod Dedeaux USA Baseball Coach of the Year award winner.
Fans once again can vote for the 2015 award by visiting GoldenSpikesAward.com and selecting their favorite finalist. Voting for fans and the voting body ends at 4 p.m. June 12.