Vahn Lackey and Jarren Advincula Named to Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watchlist

Lackey and Advincula have been two of the best players in the country this season and are being recognized for it

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ Jarren Advincula (2) swings at the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Two of the best players in the country are getting recognized for their results on the field this season.

Vahn Lackey (Suwanee, Ga./Collins Hill HS) and junior 2B Jarren Advincula (Santa Clara, Calif./Cal/ Archbishop Mitty HS) each earned a spot on the 45-player list for best amateur baseball player in the nation for the 2026 season.

𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬@LackeyVahn & @jcula1 have been named to the @USAGoldenSpikes midseason watch list.

📰 https://t.co/QtYk3AUIQu#StingEm🐝 x #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/JyA238pFol

— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 2, 2026

Elite seasons

May 31, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Georgia Tech Yellowjackets catcher Vahn Lackey (25) reacts after stealing second base during the first inning against the Murray State Racers. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Lackey currently leads the Yellow Jackets offense, the best in the country, in almost every category this season: avg (.416), runs (37), home runs (11), RBI (38), slugging (.851), OBP (.532), and stolen bases (7-for-7). He has already hit more home runs in 2026 than he did in his previous two seasons combined. He is ranked in the top five of the ACC in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, home runs, RBI, and total bases.

Behind the plate, Lackey has caught three runners attempting to steal and has picked off two runners with back-picks to first base. He leads the team in putouts (166) and carries a .994 fielding percentage.

Earlier this season, vs. West Georgia on March 10, Lackey made GT history by becoming the first player in recorded history to play eight different defensive positions in a single game, every position but pitcher. He went 3-for-4 at the plate, finishing a single shy of the cycle on his way to being named Buster Posey Award catcher of the week, Perfect Game National Player of the Week and ACC Player of the Week.

Advincula has lived up to his preseason All-America status and more so far in 2026. The second baseman leads the ACC in base hits (47) and has recorded multiple hits in seven of his last nine games and nine of his last 12 dating back to March 10. He is slashing .405 avg/.481 OBP/.552 slug. for the season thus far, with give home runs and 30 RBI to go along with 32 runs scored and five stolen bases.

Advincula has made himself a staple in the top three of the Georgia Tech batting order, routinely using every part of the field to collect hit after hit. In the field, he has been a huma highlight reel, showcasing great range and jumping ability to make difficult plays look easy. He currently holds a 1.000 fielding percentage through 28 games, making 30 putouts and 54 assists without committing an error.

Georgia Tech is one of eight programs across the nation with multiple players listed on the Golden Spikes Award midseason watch list and one of three schools in the ACC to have done so, also Miami and Florida State.