3 ASU players on the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List

Bloomquist has boasted talented rosters with some explementary hitting but hasn’t been able to bring the program back to the NCAA tournament since its last appearance in 2021. That streak might be over, as the 2025 Sun Devils might be Bloomquist’s most talented squad yet, with three players named to the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List.

Since 1978, USA Baseball has given out the Golden Spike Award to the collegiate player who exhibits exceptional on-field ability and exemplary sportsmanship. Notable winners include Adley Rutschman, Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Buster Posey, and more.

Before the start of every season, a watch list is released to highlight the favorites for the award, and the 55-man list includes three ASU players. The names were redshirt Sophomore Brandon Compton, junior left-hand pitcher Ben Jacobs, and redshirt junior infielder Kyle Walker rounded out the list for the Sun Devils.

No other Big 12 team has more than one player listed, and it will be the first time Bloomquist has had three of his players on the list before. Jacobs and Walker are transfers, while Compton will competing in his second season rocking the maroon and gold. All three will instantly impact the roster and could help Bloomquist reach his first NCAA tournament as a coach.