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Georgia Tech Baseball: Joey Bart named to Golden Spikes Award watchlist

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

CHICAGO - JUNE 30: General view of a baseball glove and cap on top of a base during the game between the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 30, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois. The Astros defeated the Cubs 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO - JUNE 30: General view of a baseball glove and cap on top of a base during the game between the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 30, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois. The Astros defeated the Cubs 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The hype around Georgia Tech star catcher Joey Bart continues to rise as he was named to the Golden Spikes Award watch list.

The hype around Joey Bart continues to build as he enters his junior season at Georgia Tech. The Georgia native who has been considered one of the best college draft prospects in the nation entering this season. Bart will look to become the second Jacket ever to win the award as former Jacket Jason Varitek won the award in 1994.

On Friday afternoon, USA Baseball released their annual Golden Spikes Award watch list. The award is given out each year to the best player in the country. The award has been a great indicator of future success in the last ten years with every winner from 2008 to 2015 making the Major Leagues. Last season’s winner was Louisville two-way star Brendan McKay who was later drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays.

This season is Bart’s second consecutive season on the watch list, joining just six other players from last season. Last season, Bart hit at a .296/.370/.575 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI. His 13 home runs came just after hitting just one during his freshman season.

The front runner for this year’s award is arguably Clemson outfielder Seth Beer, a finalist from 2016. Beer last season had similar overall numbers as Bart hitting .298/.478/.606 with 16 home runs and 53 RBI. During his 2016 Golden Spikes finalist season, he hit .369/.535/.700 with 18 home runs and 70 RBI.

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If the Yellow Jackets hope to finally make it back to the NCAA Tournament this upcoming spring, they’ll need Bart to have a Golden Spikes award worthy season.