Arkansas baseball fans know Hagen Smith quite well. But Wehiwa Aloy? Give it time.
Smith, the Diamond Hogs left-handed ace, and Aloy, Arkansas’ new starting shortstop were each named to the preseason watch list for the Golden Spikes Award on Friday. The Golden Spikes Award is given nationally to the best amateur baseball player in the country.
Smith’s season was good enough in 2023 to result in his being named a Golden Spikes semifinalist. He finished the season with 109 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings while limiting opponents to a .217 average and carrying a 3.64 earned-run average.
Aloy, who transferred from Sacramento State via the transfer portal in the offseason, was a Freshman All-American after his one season at State. He slashed .376/.427/.662 and had 14 homers and 46 RBI during his Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year season.
Smith and Aloy are among the 55 players who were named to the watch list, which will be trimmed in April, though players can be added to the list early in the season from high performance. The two are also the 14th and 15th players from Arkansas to make the preseason watch list since 2008.
The Diamond Hogs open the season Friday in a four-game set against James Madison.