2024 SEC College Baseball Preview

Player of the Year: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida

Caglianone last season hit .323/.389/.738 with 33 home runs—a BBCOR record—and went 7-4 with a  4.34 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 74.2 innings as a weekend starter. He’s not without flaw as a player—he strikes out too much as a hitter and his control needs to be refined on the mound—but let scouts worry about that. He has game-changing power and can touch 100 mph from the left side.

Pitcher of the Year: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas

The SEC has two spots on its all-conference teams for starting pitchers. Last year, Smith got the nod alongside LSU’s Paul Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft. The Razorbacks have used Smith over the last two seasons as a starter and a relief ace, but he now looks like the SEC’s top pitcher. Last season, he went 8-2 with a 3.64 ERA, 109 strikeouts and 42 walks in 71.2 innings. His fastball-slider combination is exceptionally tough on hitters.

Freshman of the Year: Gavin Grahovac, 3B, Texas A&M

Grahovac wasn’t the highest-rated recruit to get to campus, but he had an excellent fall and looks to have won a starting third base job for the Aggies. Grahovac has big raw power and can drive the ball to all fields. The Villa Park (Calif.) High product scuffled for USA Baseball’s 18U National Team and must prove himself against breaking pitches.

SEC Team-By-Team Breakdowns

East

1. Florida (54-17, 20-10)

The Gators put together a special 2023 season, winning the SEC on the final day of the regular season and then reaching the CWS finals before losing to LSU. They lost several key players from that team, including first-round picks Wyatt Langford and Hurston Waldrep, as well as Friday starter Brandon Sproat, catcher B.T. Riopelle and shortstop Josh Rivera. While those losses do leave some significant holes, the Gators are not short on talent and can again take aim at the top of the sport.

It all starts with All-American first baseman/lefthander Jac Caglianone, who last year hit a BBCOR-record 33 home runs and was a weekend starter. He’ll this season reprise his role at the heart of the Gators’ lineup and as Sunday starter. Florida also returns Freshman All-Americans Luke Heyman (.314/.366/.555, 12 HR) and Cade Kurland (.297/.404/.555, 17 HR). The Gators will now be relying on them to be focal points in the lineup as sophomores. Florida also added infielder Cody Shelton, who was a Freshman All-American last season at Alabama, through the transfer portal. On the mound, closer Brandon Neely (2-3, 3.38, 13 SV) is back, and lefthander Cade Fisher (6-0, 3.10) is ready to move from the bullpen to the rotation. Freshmen Luke McNeillie and Liam Peterson both have the stuff to make an immediate impact.

The Gators won’t be lacking on talent, but they will be younger this spring and have some serious star power to replace. This looks like another strong team for coach Kevin O’Sullivan, but one that may not hit its stride until the second half of the season.

2. Vanderbilt (42-20, 19-11)

The Commodores’ pitching staff got hit hard by the injury bug in late spring but fought through for a 42-win season and an SEC Tournament title. Their momentum fizzled in the NCAA Tournament, however, and they lost a pair of one-run games at home. Vanderbilt now has not advanced past regionals for the first time since 2009.

Vanderbilt has a strong chance of snapping that streak and making another Omaha run thanks to its pitching staff. Lefthanders Carter Holton and Devin Futrell, rotation stalwarts for the last two seasons, are back for their junior years. Closer Nick Maldonado and starter Hunter Owen were both drafted and leave big holes. Vanderbilt’s not short on quality options, including righthander Andrew Dutkanych IV, who missed most of last season due to injury, and newcomers Sawyer Hawks (Air Force) and Ethan McElvain (freshman).

Offensively, Vanderbilt has more questions to answer. Outfielders Enrique Bradfield and RJ Schreck are both now in pro ball, leaving the Commodores to replace their two most dynamic players. They ranked 11th in the SEC in scoring (7.1 runs per game) and 13th in home runs (1.23 per game). This is going to be a pitching-and-defense team again in 2024, but Vanderbilt needs some hitters to step up, whether its returners like Davis Diaz (.263/.376/.415, 9 HR) or Jonathan Vastine (.287/.355/.448) or newcomers like Jayden Davis (Samford) or Jacob Humphrey (Massachusetts-Lowell).

3. Tennessee (44-22, 16-14)

It wasn’t always easy but, in the end, Tennessee last season got back to Omaha for its second CWS appearance in three seasons. The Volunteers have won 151 games over those three seasons, more than any other team in the country. Understandably, that has ratcheted up expectations in Knoxville, even in a year that saw some key players like Chase Burns, Chase Dollander, Jared Dickey and Andrew Lindsay move on.

Tennessee had to reshape its pitching staff midseason in 2023 but ended up second to only Wake Forest in team ERA (3.63). The Volunteers now must replace more than 300 innings from that staff. They aren’t lacking for talent, however, starting with righthander Drew Beam (9-4, 3.63). If righthander AJ Russell (2-0, 0.89) is able to make a successful transition from the bullpen to the rotation, pitching coach Frank Anderson should again be able to build a formidable staff, especially with the addition of newcomers Matthew Dallas, Derek Schaefer and Nate Snead.

Infielder Christian Moore (.304/.444/.603, 16 SB, 17 HR) is back to lead the offense, which should still have plenty of firepower. Tennessee added a couple big bats through the transfer portal in infielder Billy Amick (Clemson) and catcher Cannon Peebles (N.C. State), while freshman Ariel Antigua is set to take over at shortstop. One open question is how well this group will fare defensively with new players behind the plate and on the left side of the infield.

4. South Carolina (42-21, 16-13)

After a disappointing 2022, South Carolina came roaring back in 2023. Its 42 wins were its most since 2016 (also the last time it was a No. 1 seed in regionals) and it advanced to super regionals for the first time since 2018. Now, the Gamecocks will look to keep that momentum rolling. They again will be dangerous offensively, as they return All-Americans Ethan Petry (.376/.471/.733, 23 HR) and Cole Messina (.307/.428/.615, 17 HR). They also got a big boost when first baseman Gavin Casas (.259/.407/.569, 19 HR) formally withdrew from the draft, and added veteran hitters Kennedy Jones (UNC Greensboro) and Parker Noland (Vanderbilt) through the transfer portal.

South Carolina last season had to work around a few key injuries on the mound but still ranked 12th in the nation in team ERA (4.19). Several key pitchers return, including righthander Eli Jones (4-5, 3.93) and lefthander Matthew Becker (4-3, 4.83), who project to lead the rotation, and closer Chris Veach (2-1, 3.46, 6 SV). Righthander Roman Kimball, who missed last season due to injury after transferring from Notre Dame, could be an X-factor.

5. Kentucky (40-21, 16-14)

The Wildcats had a banner 2023. They won 40 games, their most since 2012, hosted regionals for the third time ever and won regionals for just the second time before their season came to an end in the Baton Rouge Super Regional. Now comes the hard work of building off that campaign.

Kentucky had an older team in 2023 and will have a bit of a different look in 2024. Key among the returners is the up-the-middle trio of catcher Devin Burkes (.291/.423/.502, 9 HR), second baseman Emilien Pitre (.318/.440/.413, 21 SB) and shortstop Grant Smith (.281/.380/.448). The Wildcats last season ranked second in the nation in fielding (.984) and with those three back, as well as the addition of third baseman Mitchell Daly and center fielder Ty Crittenberger through the transfer portal, they should again be among the top defensive teams. Kentucky’s biggest changes will come on the mound, as three of its five pitchers who threw more than 30 innings are now gone. Righthander Travis Smith (4-3, 5.28) will lead the rotation, while righthander Mason Moore (4-1, 1.80, 4 SV) is set to move from relief ace to starting. Righthanders Johnny Hummel, a graduate transfer from Division II Erskine (S.C.), and Ryan Hagenow (3-1, 3.91) will anchor the bullpen.

6. Georgia (29-27, 11-19)

The Bulldogs last season missed the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years and, after 10 seasons at the program’s helm, Scott Stricklin was fired. Georgia tabbed Wes Johnson as his replacement. Johnson is a highly accomplished pitching coach and brings big league pedigree after spending four years in that role for the Twins. He brings new excitement to Athens, but he is a first-time college head coach.

The highlight of last spring for Georgia was the breakout of outfielder/first baseman Charlie Condon (.386/.484/.800, 25 HR). The slugger redshirted in 2022, then had a strong summer in the Northwoods League and carried that momentum into 2023 and earned Freshman of the Year honors. He’s the foundational piece of the lineup, which needs it after ranking ninth in the SEC in scoring (7.1) and then losing six regulars. The return of slugger Corey Collins (.267/.415/.505, 6 HR), who missed about half of last season, is crucial, and the Bulldogs hit the transfer portal hard, with shortstop Kolby Branch (Baylor) and outfielder Dylan Goldstein (Florida Atlantic) among the key additions.

Georgia is also resetting on the mound after lefthanders Liam Sullivan and Jaden Woods were both drafted. Righthanders Chandler Marsh (1-3, 5.46) and Leighton Finley (2-2, 6.26) project to move from the bullpen to join lefthander Charlie Goldstein (3-2, 5.03) in the rotation. Georgia also went to the portal to bolster its pitching staff. Watch out for power righthander Josh Roberge, who transferred from Division II Southern New Hampshire.

7. Missouri 30-24, 10-20)

The Tigers in 2023 finished in the SEC East cellar for the third straight season and their NCAA Tournament drought hit 10 seasons, matching the program’s longest since 1966-75. Steve Bieser was fired after seven years at the program’s helm and Kerrick Jackson was hired away from Memphis to replace him. Jackson previously was an assistant coach at Mizzou from 2011-15 and now returns to his home state to lead the program.

An instant turnaround likely isn’t in the cards for Mizzou. First, while Jackson successfully righted Southern and had Memphis moving in the right direction in his lone season, in neither case did his team produce a winning conference record in his first season in charge. Beyond the SEC adding to the level of difficulty in this reclamation project, Mizzou lost four of its five best hitters and four of its five pitchers who threw more than 30 innings. Second baseman Trevor Austin (.311/.438/.516, 10 SB) returns to lead the lineup, while transfers Danny Corona (Wake Forest) and Jeric Curtis (Texas Tech) offer exciting upside. On the mound, righthanders Logan Lunceford (3-5, 6.00, 11 GS), Bruce Mayer (junior college), Jacob Peaden (Davidson) and Carter Rustad (injured) make up the core.

West

1. LSU (54-17, 19-10)

The Tigers last season lived up to their immense promise as preseason favorites. They missed out on the SEC title by a half game but went on to win the national championship, the seventh in program history and first since 2009. They became just the second team in the 21st century to both start and finish the season ranked No. 1. Just a couple weeks after their success in Omaha, Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews became the first teammates in MLB draft history to be picked first and second overall.

LSU doesn’t enter 2024 with nearly as much hype as it did a year ago, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still the national championship favorite. Six regulars from the Tigers’ Omaha lineup are gone, leaving a significant hole. All-American third baseman Tommy White (.374/.432/.725, 24 HR) returns to lead the offense and LSU will be looking for some younger players like sophomores Jared Jones (.304/.426/.640, 14) and Paxton Kling (.289/.390/.522) to take on bigger roles. Perhaps the biggest key will be how the new-look middle infield does. Michael Braswell transferred from South Carolina and will take over at shortstop from three-year starter Jordan Thompson, while Josh Pearson (.226/.390/.522) is set to move from the outfield to second base. That duo locking down things up the middle would go a long way to easing the Tigers’ biggest concerns.

LSU is replacing top starters Skenes and Ty Floyd, security blanket reliever Riley Cooper and pitching coach Wes Johnson. To replace Johnson, coach Jay Johnson reunited with Nate Yeskie, hiring him away from Texas A&M. Johnson also looked outside the program for replacements for Skenes and Floyd, hitting the transfer portal for Gage Jump (UCLA) and Luke Holman (Alabama), who both project to be drafted this summer in the top two-three rounds. They join righthander Thatcher Hurd (8-2, 5.68), who had an up-and-down first season in Baton Rouge but hit his stride down the stretch. The Tigers have incredible depth on the mound with the likes of Nate Ackenhausen (2-1, 3.52), Gavin Guidry (3-0, 3.77), Griffin Herring (5-2, 3.93) and freshman Cameron Johnson all expected to pitch important innings.

2. Arkansas (43-18, 20-10)

The Razorbacks overcame a bevy of injuries to win the SEC West and earn the No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Their season came to a disappointing end in regionals, however, as they were knocked out at home by TCU. While they lost some key pieces from that team, they this fall brought in the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class, the program’s best in the 24-year history of the rankings.

Arkansas has a much different look in its lineup this spring. Veteran Jared Wegner (.313/.457/.673, 15 HR) is back, as are Kendall Diggs (.299/.436/.547, 12 HR) and Peyton Stovall (.253/.330/.393). Peyton Holt (.392/.489/.581, 6 SB) and Ben McLaughlin (.346/.442/.487), who stepped up late in the season as injury replacements, will take on bigger roles. The Razorbacks again did well in the transfer portal, bringing in shortstop Wehiwa Aloy (Sacramento State), catcher Hudson White (Texas Tech) and outfielder Ty Wilmsmeyer (Missouri), who will fill key up-the-middle positions. Arkansas never seems to struggle to score runs under hitting coach Nate Thompson and this lineup, while new, doesn’t look like it’s going to change that trend.

On the mound, Arkansas can lean on first-team all-SEC lefthander Hagen Smith (8-2, 3.64), who could become the highest drafted pitcher in program history. Righthander Brady Tygart (3-1, 3.20) and lefthander Mason Molina (Texas Tech) are expected to follow him in the rotation and that trio has a chance to be the conference’s best. Arkansas has the depth to put together a strong bullpen, led by righthander Gage Wood (2-0, 4.80, 5 SV) and with a few of those exciting freshmen ready to contribute.

3. Texas A&M (38-27, 14-16)

After their 2022 Omaha run, expectations were lofty in 2023 for the Aggies. They didn’t quite live up to them with a 38-27 record and runners-up finishes in the SEC Tournament and Stanford Regional. That said, the Aggies are 82-47 in two seasons under Jim Schlossnagle and are set for another quality campaign this spring.

A&M last season got a big freshman season from outfielder Jace LaViolette (.287/.414/.632, 21 HR, 18 SB) and he’s now the centerpiece of the offense with Jack Moss and Hunter Haas moving on to pro ball. Second baseman Ryan Targac (.224/.370/.429, 10 HR, 11 SB) also returns, looking to bounce back to his 2022 level, but otherwise, the lineup is new. Look for freshmen Gavin Grahovac and Caden Sorrell to make a quick impact, but the success of the 2024 lineup is likely going to come down to the Aggies’ transfers. Outfielder/righthander Braden Montgomery (Stanford), a projected first rounder, was the big get, but shortstop Ali Camarillo (Cal State Northridge) and catcher Jackson Appel (Pennsylvania) will also be critical.

The Aggies also have a new look on the mound, starting with pitching coach Max Weiner, who previously was the Mariners pitching coordinator and was hired when Nate Yeskie left for LSU. The pitching staff figures to have plenty of power, but it’s short on experience. Lefthander Justin Lamkin (3-3, 5.92) will move to the front of the rotation. The Aggies will look to find the right mix behind him with the likes of lefthanders Evan Aschenbeck (8-1, 3.46, 3 SV), Tanner Jones (Jacksonville State) and redshirt freshman Ryan Prager and righthander Chris Cortez (3-1, 7.34), as well as an exciting group of freshmen pitchers like Isaac Morton and Kaden Morton. There’s plenty of upside to the staff, but A&M will need some pitchers to step up to the challenge.

4. Auburn (34-23-1, 17-13)

Among the heavyweights of the SEC West, Auburn has often flown under the radar to start the year before putting together an impressive season under coach Butch Thompson. Last year, that meant getting picked sixth in the division in the preseason coaches’ poll, only to finish third and host regionals for the second straight season.

The Tigers now return much of that team. Ike Irish (.361/.429/.546, 24 2B) and Chris Stanfield (.280/.364/.409, 9 SB) are back after standout freshmen seasons and veterans Cooper McMurray (.272/.460/.625, 14 HR) and Bobby Pierce (.343/.411/.503) bring some pop. Auburn will have to reset defensively with Irish taking over behind the plate, Stanfield in center field and a trio of transfers on the infield, including shortstop Cooper Weiss (Miami, Ohio). If the new-look alignment is again a solid defensive unit, the Tigers should have enough quality positionally.

Auburn pieced things together on the mound a season ago but still has a couple key arms to replace, including Tommy Vail, its most reliable starter. The good news, however, is that righthander Joseph Gonzalez, the team’s opening day starter, is back and ready to resume his role at the front of the rotation. If he’s back to the level he showed in 2022 as a sophomore, Auburn has the arms it needs to build a strong staff with righthanders Chase Allsup (1-2, 5.47) joining him in the rotation and Will Cannon (3-2, 4.41, 5 SV) anchoring the bullpen.

5. Alabama (43-21, 16-14)

The 2023 season was a surreal experience for the Crimson Tide. They broke through on the field, hosting a regional for the first time since 2006 and advanced to super regionals for the first time since 2010. They did it despite coach Brad Bohannon getting fired at the start of May amid an investigation into suspicious gambling activity. Pitching coach Jason Jackson guided the team on its sensational stretch run, but Rob Vaughn was hired away from Maryland to be the team’s new head coach following the season and Jackson returned to his role as pitching coach.

Alabama lost a lot from last year’s team. There were high-profile transfers (Luke Holman, Colby Shelton), draftees (Andrew Pinckney, Jim Jarvis) and graduations (Tommy Seidl, Ed Johnson). In the lineup, catcher Mac Guscette (.260/.345/.479, 9 HR) is the only regular returning. If Alabama is going to live up to this billing, it will need newcomers like freshman shortstop Justin Lebron and veteran transfers TJ McCants (Ole Miss), Ian Petrutz (Maryland) and Evan Sleight (Rutgers) to step up.

The situation is better on the mound. While Alabama has about 300 innings to replace, it will get back a healthy Ben Hess (4-0, 3.22), who can lead the rotation, and Freshman All-American closer Alton Davis II (1-2, 5.35, 8 SV). Righthanders Aidan Moza (3-1, 3.09) and Riley Quick (1-1, 3.68) have the upside to move from the bullpen to the rotation, while lefthander Greg Farone (Louisville) could be a boost in either area. With Jackson again coaching this group, Alabama’s pitching has exciting upside.

6. Mississippi (25-29, 6-24)

The Rebels went from 2022 national champions to last place in the SEC. Little went right in 2023 for Ole Miss, from opening day starter Hunter Elliott’s injury—and subsequent Tommy John surgery—to its seven-game and six-game SEC losing streaks to bookend conference play. It ended up being the program’s first losing season since 1997. The good news, as the calendar flips to 2024, is that the last time Ole Miss missed the NCAA Tournament (2016) it rebounded the following season to win 48 games and the SEC Tournament. That kind of bounce back season is unlikely this spring, but the Rebels should be better and a return to regionals is a reasonable expectation.

Ole Miss brought in a large, talented group of newcomers, both through its traditional recruiting class and the transfer portal, in an effort to bounce back quickly. Those newcomers will be thrust immediately into significant roles. The Rebels’ infield projects to be completely new, along with top freshman Campbell Smithwick taking over behind the plate. If transfers like third baseman Andrew Fischer (Duke) and shortstop Luke Hill (Arizona State) hit the ground running in the SEC, Ole Miss will again be solid offensively, even after losing top hitters Kemp Alderman and Jacob Gonzalez.

The Rebels need some returners to step up on the mound, however. Sophomores JT Quinn (3-4, 6.83) and Grayson Saunier (2-4, 6.85) each last season made 12 starts and now will need to be ready to anchor the rotation, along with lefthander Xavier Rivas (5-5, 6.35). Ole Miss last season ranked 12th in the SEC with a 6.40 team ERA. If it is going to compete in the rugged SEC West, it needs to find the right answers for the rotation.

7. Mississippi State (27-26, 9-21)

After finishing in last place in the SEC in 2022, Mississippi State hoped to be able to turn things around in 2023. It wasn’t to be, however. The Bulldogs did finish ahead of rival Ole Miss for 13th place in the conference, but their 9-21 SEC record was the same as it was in 2022 and they again missed the postseason entirely. Pitching coach Scott Foxhall was fired midseason and Mississippi State has now missed the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2008-10.

All of that only ramps up the pressure for 2024. Mississippi State will turn to a combination of its young players and transfer additions to drive its push back to the NCAA Tournament. The sophomore class, highlighted by outfielder Dakota Jordan (.307/.397/.575, 10 HR), shortstop David Mershon (.280/.427/.305, 12 SB) and top starter Jurrangelo Cijntje (3-5, 8.10), will be critical. They were thrust into big roles as freshmen and now will be asked to take the lead.

If Mississippi State takes that leap, it likely starts on the mound. Cijntje and righthanders Nate Dohm (6-4, 4.07) and Colby Holcombe (2-2, 8.25) bring experience and big stuff to the rotation, while lefthander Bradley Loftin (2-1, 3.08) impressed last season in the bullpen. Transfers Karson Ligon (Miami), Cam Schuelke (junior college) and Khal Stephen (Purdue) boost the staff’s depth. Mississippi State last season finished last in the SEC with a 7.01 team ERA. If new pitching coach Justin Parker can coax more out of the group, then there’s room for improvement in Starkville.

2024 Top 100 Prospects

See the full Top 100 entering the 2024 season headlined by Orioles SS Jackson Holliday.

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Top 20 2024 Draft Prospects

1. Jac Caglianone, LHP/1B, Florida
2. Tommy White, 3B, LSU
3. Charlie Condon, 1B/OF, Georgia
4. Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas
5. Thatcher Hurd, RHP, LSU
6. Drew Beam, RHP, Tennessee
7. Luke Holman, RHP, LSU
8. Ben Hess, RHP, Alabama
9. Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State
10. Carter Holton, LHP, Vanderbilt
11. Gage Jump, LHP, LSU
12. Billy Amick, INF, Clemson
13. Colby Shelton, INF, Florida
14. Blake Burke, 1B, Tennessee
15. Christian Moore, INF, Tennessee
16. Jonathan Vastine, INF, Vanderbilt
17. Brady Tygart, RHP, Arkansas
18. Paxton Kling, OF, LSU
19. Davis Diaz, INF, Vanderbilt
20. Ali Camarillo, SS, Texas A&M

Top 10 2025 Draft Prospects

1. Ethan Petry, OF, South Carolina
2. Chase Shores, RHP, LSU
3. Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M
4. Cade Kurland, INF, Florida
5. Brady Neal, C, LSU
6. Cade Fisher, LHP, Florida
7. Ike Irish, C/1B, Auburn
8. Matthew Dallas, LHP, Tennessee
9. Justin Lamkin, LHP, Texas A&M
10. Samuel Horn, RHP, Missouri

Top 10 Freshmen

1. Cam Johnson, LHP, LSU
2. Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
3. Dylan Cupp, SS, Mississippi State
4. Campbell Smithwick, C, Ole Miss
5. Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas
6. Gavin Grahovac, 3B, Texas A&M
7. Jake Brown, OF, LSU
8. Matthew Dallas, LHP, Tennessee
9. Caden Sorrell, OF, Texas A&M
10. Ethan McElvain, RHP, Vanderbilt

Best Tools

Best pure hitter: Tommy White, LSU
Best power hitter: Jac Caglianone, Florida
Best strike-zone discipline: Amani Larry, Mississippi State
Best athlete: Braden Montgomery, Texas A&M
Fastest runner: Michael Robertson, Florida
Best baserunner: Ty Wilmsmeyer, Arkansas
Best defensive catcher: Fernando Gonzalez, Georgia
Best defensive infielder: Jonathan Vastine, Vanderbilt
Best infielder arm: Michael Braswell, LSU
Best defensive outfielder: Ty Wilmsmeyer, Arkansas
Best outfield arm: Braden Montgomery, Texas A&M
Best fastball: Jac Caglianone, Florida
Best breaking ball: Hagen Smith, Arkansas
Best changeup: Drew Beam, Tennessee
Best control: Devin Futrell, Vanderbilt