Kennedy Voted Semifinalist for Golden Spikes, Dick Howser Awards
May 14, 2026 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State's Dee Kennedy was selected a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award by USA Baseball, which honors the nation's top amateur baseball player. Additionally, he was voted a semifinalist the for the Dick Howser Trophy, awarded annually to the top collegiate player based on two rounds of national voting by National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association members since 1987.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Kennedy has emerged as one of college baseball's most dangerous offensive players in 2026, starting every game at shortstop while putting together one of the best offensive seasons in K-State history.
He is the first positional player in K-State history to be named a semifinalist by either national organization and is the second player overall, joining former right-handed pitcher AJ Morris, who earned the recognition by both in 2009. Morris was later selected as the first pick in the fourth round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals.
This season, Kennedy has produced an incredible slash line of .364/.465/.768 with 16 doubles, two triples and school-record 20 home runs, while adding 20 stolen bases. After launching his 20th home run of the season in a 5-2 victory over Cincinnati, he became just the fifth player in Big 12 Conference history to record 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the same season. He is also one of only three players nationally to accomplish the feat this year.
The Wildcats' all-time single-season home run leader is also a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, which honors the nation's top shortstop.
Nationally, Kennedy ranks among the top-15 offensive performers in RBI (10th), total bases (10th), slugging percentage (12th), and home runs (15th), while his ranks 20th in runs scored. He has produced 19 multi-RBI games, 20 multi-hit performances and four multi-home run games this season.
Fan voting will again play a part in the Golden Spikes Award in 2026. Following the semifinalist announcement, fans can vote for their favorite players on GoldenSpikesAward.com to help determine the finalists. USA Baseball will announce the finalists for the award on June 10, with fan voting reopening before closing on June 28 to help determine the winner.
– 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.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Kennedy has emerged as one of college baseball's most dangerous offensive players in 2026, starting every game at shortstop while putting together one of the best offensive seasons in K-State history.
He is the first positional player in K-State history to be named a semifinalist by either national organization and is the second player overall, joining former right-handed pitcher AJ Morris, who earned the recognition by both in 2009. Morris was later selected as the first pick in the fourth round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals.
This season, Kennedy has produced an incredible slash line of .364/.465/.768 with 16 doubles, two triples and school-record 20 home runs, while adding 20 stolen bases. After launching his 20th home run of the season in a 5-2 victory over Cincinnati, he became just the fifth player in Big 12 Conference history to record 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the same season. He is also one of only three players nationally to accomplish the feat this year.
The Wildcats' all-time single-season home run leader is also a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, which honors the nation's top shortstop.
Nationally, Kennedy ranks among the top-15 offensive performers in RBI (10th), total bases (10th), slugging percentage (12th), and home runs (15th), while his ranks 20th in runs scored. He has produced 19 multi-RBI games, 20 multi-hit performances and four multi-home run games this season.
Fan voting will again play a part in the Golden Spikes Award in 2026. Following the semifinalist announcement, fans can vote for their favorite players on GoldenSpikesAward.com to help determine the finalists. USA Baseball will announce the finalists for the award on June 10, with fan voting reopening before closing on June 28 to help determine the winner.
– 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.
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