University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
Ford Selected to Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
February 06, 2026 | Baseball
CARY, N.C. – Tennessee junior Henry Ford was one of 55 players named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Golden Spikes Award, USA Baseball announced on Friday.
Widely considered the most prestigious award in amateur baseball, the preseason watch list includes players across the high school and collegiate levels. The Golden Spikes Advisory Board will maintain the award's watch list on a rolling basis, allowing athletes to play themselves into consideration for the award based on in-season performance.
Overall, 41 schools and 13 conferences are represented on the 2026 preseason watch list. The SEC leads all conferences with 16 players, followed by the ACC with 14 and the Big 12 with five.
Ford is making his second appearance on the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List after earning a spot on last year's list, as well. The Charlottesville, Virginia, native, was one of the most coveted players in last year's transfer portal, has the ability to play multiple positions and will likely see time at third base as well in the outfield for the Vols this year.
Following two productive seasons at Virginia that resulted in 2024 Freshman All-America honors and 2025 All-ACC acclaim, Ford is projected to be a middle of the order bat for the Big Orange this year and is considered a top prospect for the 2026 MLB Draft.
Ford started all 111 games he played in for the Cavaliers over the past two seasons and is a career .348 hitter with 102 runs scored, 22 doubles, 28 home runs and 115 RBIs. He also boasts a .587 slugging percentage and .414 on-base percentage for his collegiate career.
With Ford's selection this year, the Vols have had at least one player named to the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List for eight straight seasons.
More information on the Golden Spikes Award and the full preseason watch list can be found HERE.
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Baseball America Preseason Freshman of the Year Watch List
Brandon Arvidson – LHP – RS-Junior – Dripping Springs, Texas
Preseason All-SEC – 1st Team (Coaches)Â
Blaine Brown – OF/LHP – Sophomore – Houston, Texas
Baseball America Preseason All-American – 2nd Team (TWP)
Levi Clark – UTL – Sophomore – Marietta, Ga.
Preseason All-SEC – 2nd Team (Coaches)Â
Henry Ford – OF/INF – Junior – Charlottesville, Va.
Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
Baseball America Preseason Player of the Year Watch List
Perfect Game Preseason All-American – 1st Team (1B)
D1Baseball Preseason All-American – 3rd Team (DH)
NCBWA Preseason All-American – 3rd Team (OF)
Preseason All-SEC -- 1st Team (Coaches, Perfect Game)Â
Brady Frederick – RHP – Junior – Knoxville, Tenn.
NCBWA Preseason All-American – 2nd Team (RP)
D1Baseball Preseason All-American – 3rd Team (RP)
Perfect Game Preseason All-American – 3rd Team (RP)
Tegan Kuhns – RHP – Sophomore – Gettysburg, Pa.
Baseball America Preseason Pitcher of the Year Watch List
Baseball America Preseason All-American – 2nd Team (SP)
Garrett Wright– C/OF – Junior – Massillon, Ohio
NCBWA Preseason All-American – 3rd Team (C)
Widely considered the most prestigious award in amateur baseball, the preseason watch list includes players across the high school and collegiate levels. The Golden Spikes Advisory Board will maintain the award's watch list on a rolling basis, allowing athletes to play themselves into consideration for the award based on in-season performance.
Overall, 41 schools and 13 conferences are represented on the 2026 preseason watch list. The SEC leads all conferences with 16 players, followed by the ACC with 14 and the Big 12 with five.
Ford is making his second appearance on the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List after earning a spot on last year's list, as well. The Charlottesville, Virginia, native, was one of the most coveted players in last year's transfer portal, has the ability to play multiple positions and will likely see time at third base as well in the outfield for the Vols this year.
Following two productive seasons at Virginia that resulted in 2024 Freshman All-America honors and 2025 All-ACC acclaim, Ford is projected to be a middle of the order bat for the Big Orange this year and is considered a top prospect for the 2026 MLB Draft.
Ford started all 111 games he played in for the Cavaliers over the past two seasons and is a career .348 hitter with 102 runs scored, 22 doubles, 28 home runs and 115 RBIs. He also boasts a .587 slugging percentage and .414 on-base percentage for his collegiate career.
With Ford's selection this year, the Vols have had at least one player named to the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List for eight straight seasons.
More information on the Golden Spikes Award and the full preseason watch list can be found HERE.
Â
2026 Preseason Honors (Sorted Alphabetically by Player)
Cam Appenzeller – LHP – Freshman – Chatham, Ill.Baseball America Preseason Freshman of the Year Watch List
Brandon Arvidson – LHP – RS-Junior – Dripping Springs, Texas
Preseason All-SEC – 1st Team (Coaches)Â
Blaine Brown – OF/LHP – Sophomore – Houston, Texas
Baseball America Preseason All-American – 2nd Team (TWP)
Levi Clark – UTL – Sophomore – Marietta, Ga.
Preseason All-SEC – 2nd Team (Coaches)Â
Henry Ford – OF/INF – Junior – Charlottesville, Va.
Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
Baseball America Preseason Player of the Year Watch List
Perfect Game Preseason All-American – 1st Team (1B)
D1Baseball Preseason All-American – 3rd Team (DH)
NCBWA Preseason All-American – 3rd Team (OF)
Preseason All-SEC -- 1st Team (Coaches, Perfect Game)Â
Brady Frederick – RHP – Junior – Knoxville, Tenn.
NCBWA Preseason All-American – 2nd Team (RP)
D1Baseball Preseason All-American – 3rd Team (RP)
Perfect Game Preseason All-American – 3rd Team (RP)
Tegan Kuhns – RHP – Sophomore – Gettysburg, Pa.
Baseball America Preseason Pitcher of the Year Watch List
Baseball America Preseason All-American – 2nd Team (SP)
Garrett Wright– C/OF – Junior – Massillon, Ohio
NCBWA Preseason All-American – 3rd Team (C)
Players Mentioned
LHP
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LHP
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OF/LHP
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UTL
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INF/OF
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RHP
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RHP
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C/OF
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