The excitement around Auburn pitcher Richard Fitts has continued to grow. The right-hander was named to the Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list, USA Baseball announced Thursday.
It is the fifth time in four years an Auburn player has been named to the watch list with Fitts joining Casey Mize (2018), Tanner Burns (2019, 2020) and Will Holland (2019).
Fitts has already been named Second Team Preseason All-America by D1 Baseball and Third Team Preseason All-America by Baseball America. Additionally, Fitts has been ranked the No. 8 and No. 9 college prospect by Perfect Game and D1 Baseball, respectively, as well as the No. 13 overall prospect by Perfect Game, No. 15 overall prospect by Baseball America and No. 17 overall prospect by MLB.com.
Fitts has made 27 career appearances, including six starts, and has a 6-3 record with a 4.88 ERA. He made appearances in the SEC Tournament, regional, super regional and College World Series as a freshman before going 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in six appearances as a sophomore.
The watch list features 55 of the nation’s top amateur players from high school and college baseball and includes 15 players from the SEC.
The award will be presented in July.