_JohnnyVTV

When it comes to the Golden Spikes award, there is a path on how to bet it. Because it’s only the 2nd year the market has been offered, I feel bettors have an edge on how to capitalize. After a lot of research, there is a particular formula that is usually followed from voters you won’t find anybody else telling you. Last season we hit Charlie Condon at 15/1.

1. Avoid pitcher only players
2. Stick to the Power 4 conferences
3. Target Draft Eligible players - projected 1st rounders
4. Target players on teams who will make the postseason
5. Target hitters who can put together a big statistical profile (.400 plus average with 25+ homers or .380+ average with 30+ homers)

Henry Ford is one of my key targets this season as a draft eligible Sophomore. As a freshman, Ford displayed eye popping numbers with a .336 average and 17 homers, making him a power house in a top five UVA lineup.

With UVA expected to be among the best lineups and teams in 2025, expected to Ford to take a huge leap in a draft year with a top 20 price tag on him.

Considering the elite hit and power tool he has in a lineup that virtually has no weakness and tons of protection, Ford will probably be the cleanup hitter on a team that will do a lot of scoring in 2025.

While each hitter is a case by case in terms of improvements, Ford is a guy who can realistically see a 10+ homer jump this year, and anywhere from a 40-60 point hike in batting average.

While it’s difficult to project the jump, this market calls for betting on players who have the obvious talent and are in a position to really succeed. Considering Ford has everything at his disposal this year, 30/1 is way too big of a number on a guy who could be one of the best players in the sport this season. My fair price on him is 15/1.

Usually my approach is take a few players preseason and keep an eye on the field in the first few weeks of the season. Though it’s a winnable market, it is difficult to try and pinpoint the winner in an award where it’s left up to voters - as Jac Caglianone had a .417 average with 33 homers last year and wasn’t even a finalist.

Build a portfolio early while the lines are soft, and diversify as the season unfolds.

While I do love Texas A&M this season, my other team I have a lot of high hopes for in 2025 is LSU.

I expect these two teams to be the class of the best conference in College Baseball.

In my opinion, the Aggies definitely have the higher floor, but LSU could end up with the higher ceiling.

The Tigers ransacked the incoming freshman class with major players like William Schmidt, C Cade Aarambide, OF Derek Curiel etc - all potential first rounders in the 2027 draft class. While they lost stars like Tommy White, Luke Holman and Gage Jump, this team is set up well in 2025.

The lineup has a lot of youth, but returning is Jared “Bear” Jones a possible first rounder this summer (28 homers and a .301 average in 2024.

The guy I’m really excited about is junior RHP Chase Shores who was on that 2023 National Championship team. Shores hasn’t pitched since early march of 2023 bc of Tommy John surgery, but when he did throw, you saw the potential. 100 MPH fastball with elite swing and miss stuff. I have Shores as a guy who could not only be a first rounder this summer, but may work his way as the top pitcher off the board, maybe even flirt with the number 1 pick if he lives up to what I think he could be.

The schedule isn’t terrible for this SEC dynamo either. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them start off rocky while working in a lot of new players, but once this team starts to gel, look out because they are ferocious.