College baseball has its own version of football's ever-popular Heisman Trophy - the Golden Spikes Award presented by USA Baseball. It's handed out each year to the best amateur baseball players in the country.

Some of baseball's biggest stars have earned the honor since it was introduced in 1978. Bryce Harper, Tim Lincecum and Buster Posey are just a couple of stars who have received the honor in the past.

Two former LSU Tigers players have received the honors - Ben McDonald in 1989 and Dylan Crews in 2023. They could see a third this season as two members of the 2026 roster were named to the preseason watchlist.

Neither will be the favorite of the 55 players announced, that would be UCLA Bruins shortstop Roch Cholowsky, but they have the talent and will have the stage to win over voters.

Here are the Tigers that made the cut:

OF Derek Curiel

The baseball world has known that Curiel would be a star for a long time. He committed to LSU as a sophomore in high school and was already considered the best player in the country. It was a surprise to many that he ended up at a college campus at all.

He impressed as a freshman with the Tigers, posting a .345/.470/.519 slash line with seven home runs and 55 RBI. Now, he is expected to take a step up as a sophomore with an increase in power.

The 20-year-old already has more on his plate as he is transitioning to center field, which is where he seems destined to end up at the next level. This will really be a chance for him to showcase his range and how good an arm he has.

Curiel is draft-eligible as a sophomore, so this could be his final season in Baton Rouge.

P Casan Evans

Evans was also a highly touted freshman, but he still surprised with how good he was out of the gates and his ability to step up in big moments. He is expected to make the jump from three career starts to being the Friday night guy for Jay Johnson and his staff.

As a freshman, Evans posted a 2.05 ERA, 71 strikeouts and a 1.196 WHIP in 52.2 innings pitched. His biggest moment came in the NCAA Regional against Little Rock, when he shut down a red-hot offense and helped save LSU's eventual championship-winning season. 

It's harder for pitchers to win the award, but certainly not impossible. If he continues on the track he set in Year 1, he'll be in the conversation.