The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Volantis named Golden Spikes semifinalist
05.18.2025 | Baseball
Left-handed pitcher one of two freshmen on prestigious list.
AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas standout Dylan Volantis was among the 25 amateur baseball players selected as a semifinalist for the 2025 Golden Spikes Award, USA Baseball announced Sunday.
The 47th Golden Spikes Award will be presented on June 21 at 5:30 p.m. CT on ESPN, leading into Game 1 of the Men's College World Series finals.
"With another terrific amateur baseball season nearing the finish line, we are thrilled to honor the 25 best players in the country as Golden Spikes Award semifinalists," said USA Baseball CEO/Executive Director Paul Seiler. "These athletes have put together tremendous seasons and are extremely deserving of this honor. We are excited to watch the remainder of the season and to name the 47th winner of the Golden Spikes Award next month."
One of the nation's best closers, Volantis led all pitchers (min. 25 inn.) in ERA (1.59), WHIP (0.85), B/AVG (.160) and saves (11) in SEC play.
The 6-foot-6, 212-pound hurler's 11 saves in conference action are the most by an SEC freshman ever, breaking Ole Miss' Steven Head's 22-year-old record.
In 16 SEC appearances, Volantis allowed five tallies over 28 1/3 frames, while issuing eight walks and registering 48 strikeouts.
Overall, the left-hander has notched a 4-0 ledger with 12 saves, which is tied for sixth nationally.
Volantis has yielded only eight earned runs in 43 1/3 innings, collecting 64 strikeouts along the way.
The Thousand Oaks, Calif., native helped the Longhorns become the first team to win the SEC in their first season since the league's inaugural campaign in 1933.
Volantis — who is also a semifinalist for the 2025 Dick Howser Trophy — is aiming to become just the second Golden Spikes winner in program history. Ivan Melendez previously won the award in 2022.
In total, nine different conferences are represented among the semifinalists. The SEC leads all leagues with eight players, while the ACC has the second-most represented with seven.
Fan voting will again play a part in the Golden Spikes Award in 2025. Baseball fans can vote for their favorite players on GoldenSpikesAward.com, beginning today with the naming of the semifinalists.
USA Baseball will announce the finalists for the award on June 4, and fan voting will once again open at GoldenSpikesAward.com before closing on June 20.
A complete list of the 25-player 2025 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award semifinalists can be found HERE.
