Five Legion Baseball alumni make Golden Spikes watch list

Five Legion Baseball alumni make Golden Spikes watch list

USA Baseball recently announced its 2016 Golden Spikes Award midseason watch list. And out of the 60 top amateur baseball players in the country on it, five are American Legion Baseball alumni.

The Legion players are:

Grant Bennett. A senior at Troy University in Alabama, Bennett played Legion Baseball for Decatur Post 15 in Alabama, Region 3. As a pitcher for the Trojans, Bennett holds a 1.91 ERA through nine starts, posting a 5-2 record on the mound. Opposing batters have hit just .238 against him this year.

Jake Fishman. A junior at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., Fishman played Legion Baseball for Canton Post 24 in Massachusetts, Region 1. As a pitcher and infielder, Fishman is one of only two non-NCAA Division I players on the list. He has been dominant as a two-way player, posting an ERA of 0.32 on the mound while also hitting .426.

Jeren Kendall. A sophomore at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Kendall played Legion Baseball for Holmen Post 284 in Wisconsin, Region 4. As an outfielder, Kendall is playing for the fourth-ranked team in the nation, and he's had a stellar follow-up to his freshman All-American season. He currently sits at .349 with six home runs and 40 RBIs.

Brendan McKay. A sophomore at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, McKay played Legion Baseball for Blackhawk AAA in Beaver Falls, Pa., Region 2. As an infielder and pitcher, McKay was a 2015 Golden Spikes semifinalist. He posted an ERA of 2.15 while going 7-1 for the fifth-ranked Cardinals and hitting a .316.

Logan Shore. A junior at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Shore played Legion Baseball for Coon Rapids Post 334 in Minnesota, Region 5. As a pitcher playing for the nation's No. 1 college baseball team, Shore is 7-0 with a 2.50 ERA, including a four-hit complete game shutout against national powerhouse University of Miami.

“It is great to see five former Legion Baseball standouts being recognized as they continue their careers at fantastic programs,” said American Legion Baseball Committee Chairman Gary Stone. “It is even more impressive to see that they hail from different parts of the country, showing how truly strong our program is nationwide.”

USA Baseball has honored the nation's top amateur high school or college baseball player "who exhibits exceptional athletic ability and exemplary sportsmanship" with its Golden Spikes Award since 1978. The award – sponsored by Major League Baseball – will be presented on June 30 in Los Angeles.