As the Diamond Heels prepare for their first game of the 2020 season on Friday, one of its young stars earned another preseason honor.

USA Baseball named UNC sophomore first baseman Aaron Sabato to its 2020 preseason Golden Spikes Award watch list on Thursday. Sabato is one of 55 players on the list who might contend for the award given to the top amateur baseball player in the country.

In his first year with the Tar Heels, Sabato held a .343 batting average while hitting 25 doubles, 18 home runs and 63 runs batted in. The Rye Brook, N.Y., native was Co-National Freshman of the Year, a first-team All-America and All-ACC selection and ACC Freshman of the Year. He is one of 10 ACC players on the preseason watch list and the honor comes after he was named a Perfect Game’s Preseason First Team All-American at the designated hitter position.

Oregon State’s Adley Rutschman won the 2019 award, joining recent winners that include Andrew Vaughn (2018), Brendan McKay (2017), Kyle Lewis (2016), Andrew Benintendi (2015), A.J. Reed (2014), Kris Bryant (2013), Mike Zunino (2012), Trevor Bauer (2011), Bryce Harper (2010), Stephen Strasburg (2009), Buster Posey (2008) and David Price (2007).

USA Baseball will announce the finalists on May 28 and fan voting will open at the Golden Spikes website, remaining open through June 7. The winner of the 2020 award will then be named on June 11 at a ceremony in Omaha, N.E.

The Diamond Heels begin their season Friday, opening at home against Middle Tennessee State at 3 p.m.

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