TUCSON, Ariz. - University of Arizona relief pitcher Tony Pluta has been named to the 2026 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List, as announced by USA Baseball on Friday.
The selection is one of a multitude of preseason honors that Pluta has garnered ahead of the 2026 campaign.Â
The Golden Spikes Award annually honors the nation's top amateur baseball player. The 2026 preseason watch list includes 55 players from across high school and college baseball, selected based on their body of work from the previous season. The watch list will be maintained on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Pluta is coming off a campaign in which he garnered All-American honors from numerous organizations after appearing in 30 games on the mound, and compiling an ERA of 1.46 across 37 innings of work. The Palatine, Illinois native also recorded 14 saves, while holding opposing hitters to a batting average of .219 and tallying 34 strikeouts to just seven walks.
The Wildcats commence the 2026 campaign on Friday, February 13 in Surprise, Arizona against former Pac-12 foe Stanford as part of the 2026 College Baseball Series.
