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The Oregon Ducks baseball team will be looking to make a run in Omaha this spring, and if they do, Matt Krook figures to be a big reason why.
A sophomore pitcher, Krook has been named to the watchlist for the Golden Spikes award. USA Baseball released the 50-person list Tuesday for the award, which is given to the top amateur baseball player in the country. The award will be presented June 30 in Los Angeles.
Krook was selected 35th overall in the 2013 MLB draft by the Miami Marlins but missed last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
As a freshman in 2014, he went 2-1 with a 1.79 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 45.1 innings. Though his season was shortened by an injury, Krook was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America first team. He'd be the first Duck to win the Golden Spikes, though Pac-12 players from USC, Washington and UCLA have won it over the past 15 seasons.