Kennedy Named to Golden Spikes Watch List, Earns Midseason All-America Honors
Apr 02, 2026 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Junior shortstop Dee Kennedy was named to the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List, which honors the nation's top amateur player, the organization announced Thursday. In addition to his selection, the Fort Worth, Texas, product earned First Team Midseason All-American honors by D1Baseball and Perfect Game.
Kennedy becomes the fifth Wildcat in school history to earn a spot on the midseason watch list and marks the third consecutive season K-State has had a player recognized. Previous Wildcats to be featured include Jared King (2013), Ross Kivett (2014), Brady Day (2024) and Maximus Martin (2025).
Additionally, Kennedy was named to the Baseball America Midseason Player of the Year Watch List. He has earned multiple weekly honors this season, including Golden Spikes Award x D1 Baseball Player of the Week and Big 12 Player of the Week (February 16).He was also named the Brooks Wallace Award Player of the Week – which recognizes the nation's top shortstop – and was selected to the Baseball America National Team of the Week and named the NCBWA Co-Hitter of the Week (February 17).
Through 29 games, the Wildcats' shortstop leads the team's offense with a .442 batting average and a team-best 1.529 OPS. He has totaled 11 doubles, one triple and 14 home runs, including three multi-home run performances.
One of the nation's most dangerous hitters, ranks among Division I's Top 10 in seven offensive categories. He leads the nation in total runs scored (46) and ranks second in slugging percentage (.971), third in RBI (48), fifth in total bases (101), eighth in home runs, ninth in on-base percentage (.558) and ninth in batting average.
Kennedy has recorded a team-high 14 multi-RBI games, including four with five or more RBI, and ranks second on the team with 13 multi-hit performances.
With his fifth collegiate multi-home run game against BYU, Kennedy became the 10th player in school history to generate a 14-home run season. He is three shy of tying the single-season record.
The watch list features 45 of the nation's top players from college and high school baseball, with Kennedy one of four representatives from the Big 12 Conference. He is joined by Landon Hairston (Arizona State), Quinton Coats (Cincinnati) and Sawyer Strosnider (TCU).
The Golden Spikes Award Advisory Board will continue maintaining a rolling list of athletes throughout the season, allowing players to play themselves into consideration for the award before the announcement of the semifinalists on May 14. Following the 25-player semifinalist announcement, the three finalists will be revealed on June 10, and then the winner will be named on June 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET during a presentation on MLB Network.
K-State (19-10, 4-5 Big 12) will host TCU (17-10, 5-4 Big 12) in a three-game conference set this weekend at Tointon Family Stadium. The series gets underway on Friday at 6 p.m., and can be seen on ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
Kennedy becomes the fifth Wildcat in school history to earn a spot on the midseason watch list and marks the third consecutive season K-State has had a player recognized. Previous Wildcats to be featured include Jared King (2013), Ross Kivett (2014), Brady Day (2024) and Maximus Martin (2025).
Additionally, Kennedy was named to the Baseball America Midseason Player of the Year Watch List. He has earned multiple weekly honors this season, including Golden Spikes Award x D1 Baseball Player of the Week and Big 12 Player of the Week (February 16).He was also named the Brooks Wallace Award Player of the Week – which recognizes the nation's top shortstop – and was selected to the Baseball America National Team of the Week and named the NCBWA Co-Hitter of the Week (February 17).
Through 29 games, the Wildcats' shortstop leads the team's offense with a .442 batting average and a team-best 1.529 OPS. He has totaled 11 doubles, one triple and 14 home runs, including three multi-home run performances.
One of the nation's most dangerous hitters, ranks among Division I's Top 10 in seven offensive categories. He leads the nation in total runs scored (46) and ranks second in slugging percentage (.971), third in RBI (48), fifth in total bases (101), eighth in home runs, ninth in on-base percentage (.558) and ninth in batting average.
Kennedy has recorded a team-high 14 multi-RBI games, including four with five or more RBI, and ranks second on the team with 13 multi-hit performances.
With his fifth collegiate multi-home run game against BYU, Kennedy became the 10th player in school history to generate a 14-home run season. He is three shy of tying the single-season record.
The watch list features 45 of the nation's top players from college and high school baseball, with Kennedy one of four representatives from the Big 12 Conference. He is joined by Landon Hairston (Arizona State), Quinton Coats (Cincinnati) and Sawyer Strosnider (TCU).
The Golden Spikes Award Advisory Board will continue maintaining a rolling list of athletes throughout the season, allowing players to play themselves into consideration for the award before the announcement of the semifinalists on May 14. Following the 25-player semifinalist announcement, the three finalists will be revealed on June 10, and then the winner will be named on June 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET during a presentation on MLB Network.
K-State (19-10, 4-5 Big 12) will host TCU (17-10, 5-4 Big 12) in a three-game conference set this weekend at Tointon Family Stadium. The series gets underway on Friday at 6 p.m., and can be seen on ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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