May 31, 2011

Durham, N.C. - Cal State Fullerton junior first baseman-pitcher Nick Ramirez is one of 30 semifinalists for the 2011 Golden Spikes Award presented by USA Baseball to the nation's top amateur player. The original field of more than 50 candidates was pared today. The winner will be announced on July 15 live on MLB Tonight with the three finalists in the studio.

Ramirez is one of the nation's most productive two-way players. He will carry a 1-0 pitching record with 16 saves in 16 opportunities and a 1.12 earned run average into this weekend's NCAA Regional Tournament at Goodwin Field. He leads the Big West Conference champion Titans' offense with 9 home runs, 45 runs batted in, 15 doubles and 32 walks.

The product of Anaheim's Katella High School has tied the school record of 34 career saves, sharing it with former Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals star Chad Cordero.

Three Titans have won the award in the past -- Tim Wallach in 1979, Phil Nevin in 1992 and Mark Kotsay in 1995.

Ramirez was a finalist for the 2010 John Olerud Award, presented to the nation's best two-way player. He earned All-Big West honors three times, twice been named an All-American, and this afternoon was named the Big West Conference Player of the Year. He has started every game for the past two campaigns.

Ramirez earned a silver medal with Team USA during the summer of 2010. He had an 0-1 record with a save and a 1.59 ERA on the mound while batting .290 wih 2 home runs and 14 RBI in 16 games.