Prior Selected Top Player

Former USC pitcher Mark Prior was named the Golden Spikes Award winner Tuesday. The award is given annually by USA Baseball to the top college player.

The junior right-hander went 15-1 with a 1.69 earned-run average and a Pac-10 record 202 strikeouts. Considered by major league scouts to be the most polished college pitcher in recent history, Prior allowed 18 walks in 1382/3 innings and led the Trojans to a second straight appearance in the College World Series.

Prior was selected second in the major league draft and signed a five-year, $10.5-million major league contract with the Chicago Cubs in August.