Golden Spikes announcement set

Arkansas reliever Kevin Kopps throws a pitch during a game against Nebraska in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional at Baum-Walker Stadium on June 5, 2021.

FAYETTEVILLE — The Golden Spikes Award will be presented this week.

The winner of the 43rd Golden Spikes will be announced during a live broadcast of ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" on Thursday at 5 p.m. Finalists for the award are Arkansas pitcher Kevin Kopps and Vanderbilt pitchers Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter.

The award is presented by USA Baseball to the national college player of the year.

Finalists were for the award were announced June 24 and voting for the award closed July 2, but the date of the award presentation was not disclosed until Monday by USA Baseball. A countdown clock on the organization's website was also reset. The clock had indicated the award would be presented earlier in the week.

Kopps, who went 12-1 with 11 saves and led college baseball with a 0.90 ERA and 0.76 WHIP, could become the 20th individual to win the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy in the same season. Kopps was presented the 34th Howser Trophy — the national player of the year award voted on by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association — on June 18.

Kopps was the first relief pitcher to win the Howser Trophy. He would be the first reliever to win the Golden Spikes since Wichita State's Darren Dreifort in 1993.

Rocker and Leiter, who were starting pitchers on Vanderbilt's national runner-up team, had longer to influence voters. Rocker started three games and Leiter started twice during the Commodores' time at the College World Series.

Kopps' season with the Razorbacks ended 17 days before Vanderbilt's final game.

Leiter, who was drafted by the Texas Rangers with the second overall selection in the MLB Draft on Sunday, went 11-4 with a 2.13 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 110 innings this season.

Rocker, who was drafted by the New York Mets 10th overall, was 14-4 with a 2.73 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 122 innings.

Kopps was drafted Monday by the San Diego Padres with the 99th overall pick in the third round.

Kopps could become the second Arkansas player to win the Golden Spikes Award. Outfielder Andrew Benintendi won the Golden Spikes and Howser Trophy in 2015.

Benintendi has a vote for the Golden Spikes Award as a previous winner. Other voters include baseball front-office personnel, USA Baseball staff and baseball media members.