MLB: Mike Zunino Wins Golden Spikes Award

Former Florida Gators catcher and newly-drafted Seattle Mariners prospect Mike Zunino can now say he's earned the same achievement as Tim Lincecum, Will Clark, fellow SEC player David Price and Buster Posey.

Zunino was announced the Golden Spikes Award on MLB Network by 2010 winner Bryce Harper on Friday.

The Golden Spikes Award goes to the top amateur player each year. The other two finalists were Mark Appel from Stanford and freshman sensation Carlos Rodon with the ACC-affilated North Carolina State Wolfpack.

Zunino has won two other awards since his final season with the Gators—the Johnny Bench Award (top catcher in NCAA Div. I) and the Dick Howser Trophy, which recognizes the top collegiate player in all divisions.

Zunino had impressive numbers in his junior campaign for Florida this season—a .322 BA, 19 home runs and 67 RBI.

Earlier in the week, Zunino sealed his deal with the Mariners when he was introduced to the Seattle media on Tuesday. Zunino was selected as the third overall pick about a month earlier to the day of receiving the Golden Spikes Award.

Zunino will start playing for the Class-A Everett AquaSox in the coming days. Before then, Zunino will be honored next week in Kansas City during All-Star Week.