BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— Samford junior second baseman Brooks Carlson was named to USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List Thursday morning.
 
The Golden Spikes Award goes to the top amateur baseball player in the country. The 2021 preseason watch list features 55 of the nation's top amateur players from high school and college baseball. The Golden Spikes Award Advisory Board will maintain a rolling list of players, allowing athletes to play themselves into consideration for the award throughout the season.
 
Being named to the list is the latest in a long line of preseason accolades Carlson has received prior to the 2021 season. Earlier in the offseason, Carlson was named a consensus preseason All-American. He was also tabbed as the Southern Conference's Preseason Player of the Year earlier this month.
 
In the 15 games that were played in the 2020 season prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carlson ranked second in the nation in batting with a .500 (25-of-50) average. He hit four doubles and three home runs, and drove in 19 runs.
 
Carlson led the Southern Conference in batting average, and he tied for the league lead in hits with 25. He also ranked third in the league in RBI (19) and fourth in total bases (38).
 
Carlson and the Bulldogs will open the 2021 season this Friday, when Samford begins a three-game series with UT Martin at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The teams are scheduled to play Friday at 2 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.