Cal State Fullerton’s Kotsay Gets Golden Spikes Award

Mark Kotsay said the honor capped what he calls “his dream season.”

Kotsay, an outfielder/relief pitcher who led Cal State Fullerton to the College World Series championship last June, was presented the Golden Spikes award, given to the year’s top amateur baseball player, Tuesday in New York as a highlight of USA Baseball’s Salute to Excellence program.

“I never thought anything like this would be possible,” Kotsay said.

Kotsay is the third Fullerton player to win the prestigious award. Phil Nevin was chosen in 1992 and Tim Wallach in 1979. Nevin is with the Detroit Tigers; Wallach is a free agent who played last season with the Dodgers.

Kotsay’s All-American “dream season” included being named the World Series most valuable player after he hit .563 with three home runs and 10 runs batted in. He had two home runs and five RBIs when the Titans defeated USC, 11-5, in the title game.

Kotsay played for Team USA in international competition this summer, then hit .600 when that team won the National Baseball Congress tournament title.

All this, and Kotsay still has his junior season ahead of him before he becomes eligible for the major league draft.

“I’m not going to go out with the idea of trying to top anything,” Kotsay said. “The focus for me will be to have fun.”

Kotsay said he wants to avoid being bothered by the expectations of others.

“I’ve had a lot of help from the other guys here this week on that,” Kotsay said, referring to the other award finalists. That group included Nebraska’s Darin Erstad, whom the Angels picked No. 1 overall in the June draft.

“Erstad told me just to go out and have a good time playing, and enjoy yourself,” Kotsay said. “He said to be myself, and everything else will take care of itself. I’m going to do what I can to provide some team leadership . . . I want to be able to help some of the younger players if I can.”

Other finalists for the award included Texas Tech infielder Clint Bryant, Rice outfielder Jose Cruz Jr., Tennessee first baseman-pitcher Todd Helton, USC outfielder Geoff Jenkins, Florida State pitcher Jonathan Johnson, Clemson outfielder Shane Monahan and Oklahoma pitcher Mark Redman.

Team USA officials also announced Kotsay as their nominee for the U.S. Olympic athlete of the year award.