USA Baseball and Major League Baseball announced during the 2025 MLB Draft Lottery that MLB Network will become the new home for the Golden Spikes Award presentation, starting in 2026 with the 48th winner. The Emmy Award-winning network will also expand its coverage of USA Baseball by recognizing top amateur players leading up to the award announcements. This collaboration builds on their partnership since 2006 to grow the sport at all levels.
The announcement highlights the ongoing efforts between USA Baseball and MLB to elevate amateur baseball. MLB Network, which has exclusively covered the MLB Draft Combine since 2021, will now provide season-long recognition of standout players, culminating in the semifinalist and finalist reveals for the Golden Spikes Award.
USA Baseball CEO and executive director Paul Seiler emphasized the natural fit of this partnership. “USA Baseball and Major League Baseball have a long-standing relationship and have worked together on so many levels of the game, from the grassroots to the professional ranks, so making the coverage of the Golden Spikes Award a collaborated effort between only seems right to elevate its visibility,” Seiler said. He added that MLB's work in growing the game will enhance the award's prestige.
Marc Caiafa, MLB Network's senior vice president of production, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “MLB Network is committed to producing meaningful content year after year focused on the next generation of stars,” Caiafa stated. “The Golden Spikes Award is the most prestigious collegiate baseball award in the nation, so there is no better place for it to be announced than MLB Network.”
Established in 1978, the Golden Spikes Award honors the nation's top amateur baseball player for exceptional on-field ability and sportsmanship. Arkansas' Wehiwa Aloy was the most recent recipient, following winners like Charlie Condon (2024), Dylan Crews (2023), and Ivan Melendez (2022).
Past winners have achieved significant success in Major League Baseball. Of the 47 previous honorees, 40 were first-round MLB Draft picks, including the last three. Notable accomplishments include three Cy Young Awards, six Rookie of the Year honors, three MVP awards, and 11 World Series championships, totaling 18 titles. Twenty-three winners have made at least one All-Star appearance, combining for 64 selections.
Details on the 2026 presentation and selection process will be revealed later.