Florida Shortstop Brendan Lawson Named to Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List 

For a Florida baseball team that has been plagued by inconsistency on both sides of the ball, one thing has remained consistent: shortstop Brendan Lawson’s top-level performance.

Lawson’s play, ranking fourth in the nation for on-base percentage and walks, earned him a spot on the 2026 Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List, as announced by USA Baseball today. 

The list comprises the top 45 amateur players in the nation, and the winner will be announced June 29.  

It’s no surprise the shortstop was named to the list. His bat has sizzled all season long, leading Florida in every slash category (.372/.577/.849). 

“He’s one of the best hitters we’ve had come through here,” Florida baseball head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said.

The Toronto native is a big reason the Gators trounced its ranked opponents in all seven games, totaling 11 runs and eight hits. 

In just 28 games, he has already surpassed his freshman season’s 10 home runs, drilling his 11th during Florida’s 7-6 win over No. 4 Arkansas on Sunday to complete the series sweep. 

Lawson was instrumental in securing the sweep, tallying three hits, a season high, and notching three of the Gators’ seven runs.

He doesn’t just deliver at the plate, though. Lawson has proven himself as an aggressive runner, stealing eight bases on 10 attempts.

Florida enters its three-game series against Ole Miss Thursday night at Condron Family Ballpark . As the team looks to regroup from its mid-week loss to Jacksonville University, it will certainly lean on Lawson’s offense to propel the Gators back into the win column. 

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Baseball