Chris Hacopian's offensive prowess and Caden Sorrell's slugging power land them on the prestigious Golden Spikes Award watch list, signaling Aggie baseball's elite status.
Texas A&M baseball continues to stack national respect, and this time it comes straight from the sport’s most prestigious amateur award.
Infielder Chris Hacopian and outfielder Caden Sorrell were both named to the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List, putting the Aggies firmly in the national spotlight before the season even begins.
The Golden Spikes Award, first handed out in 1978, recognizes the top amateur baseball player in the country based on performance, competitiveness, and sportsmanship.
With two names on the list again, Texas A&M has now produced multiple preseason selections in three straight seasons, a quiet but telling indicator of the program’s depth and star power.
Hacopian arrives in College Station with one of the most polished offensive resumes in college baseball. Over two seasons at Maryland, he posted a career .347 batting average and a 1.080 OPS, starting every one of his 107 career games.
His 2025 season was especially eye-catching, as he hit .375 with a 1.158 OPS while leading the Terrapins in hits (72), home runs (14), and RBI (61).
Perhaps most impressive was his discipline at the plate, drawing 40 walks against just 19 strikeouts. Add in back-to-back All-Big Ten honors and an ABCA All-East Region First Team selection, and Hacopian arrives as a ready-made centerpiece for the Aggies’ lineup.
Sorrell, meanwhile, returns with unfinished business after an injury limited him early last season. Once back in the lineup, the left-handed slugger delivered immediate impact.
In just 26 starts, he slashed .337/.430/.789 with 12 home runs and 32 RBI, with more than half of his hits going for extra bases. His production earned him the Marion Pugh Most Valuable Player honor, and his career numbers at Texas A&M back it up with a .296 average, 23 home runs, 75 RBI, and six triples over 88 games. Preseason All-America honors and a Preseason All-SEC First Team nod only reinforce his national profile.
The preseason watch list features 55 players across high school and college baseball, with the SEC leading all conferences.
As the season unfolds, the list will continue to evolve based on performance. Finalists will be announced June 10, with the winner revealed June 29 on MLB Network.