Notre Dame P John Michael Bertrand named to Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List
It’s been quite the week for Notre Dame sixth-year senior pitcher John Michael Bertrand.
After a career-best 12-strikeout performance against Florida State on Friday that earned him ACC Pitcher of the Week honors, Bertrand was named to the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List on Tuesday. USA Baseball made the announcement, and there are a total of 45 athletes in the mix.
He is the fourth player in Irish history to have his name on that list, joining Niko Kavadas (2021), Eric Jagielo (2013) and Dan Slania (2013). The 2022 preseason watchlist had 55 players on it, none of whom play for the blue and gold. There are 26 players on the midseason list who were not listed in the preseason.
The semifinalists will be announced on May 24, and the finalists will be named on June 8. The winner of the 44th Golden Spikes Award will be announced on June 24 on ESPN. The honor is voted on by more than 150 baseball media members, select professional baseball personnel, USA Baseball staff and former award winners.
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In seven starts this year, Bertrand is 4-0 with an ERA of 1.81. Opponents have just a .212 batting average against the Irish ace, which ranks 10th in the ACC amongst starting pitchers.
Through 44.2 innings pitched, the graduate transfer has allowed just nine earned runs (third in the ACC), has struck out 51 batters (fifth in the ACC) and walked 12 players. He leads the Irish pitching staff in the strikeout category by 16 K’s. Additionally, Bertrand boasts a perfect fielding percentage. As a team, Notre Dame’s fielding percentage is .989, which is tied with Oklahoma State for first in the country.
While the pitching lineup for this weekend’s three-game series against Clemson has yet to be announced, Irish head coach Link Jarrett has moved Bertrand from being his typical Saturday starter to his Friday starter. Considering how well last weekend at Florida State went, it’s safe to bet Bertrand will get the nod against the Tigers on Friday.
Before Clemson comes to town, No. 6 Notre Dame hosts in-state foe Butler at 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Frank Eck Stadium. RHP Radek Birkholz (0-0, 1.59 ERA) will get the first start of his career, and the game can be streamed on ACCNX. The Irish are looking for their fifth straight win after dropping four consecutive contests starting March 18.
