Last year’s College Baseball season came to a conclusion in Omaha, Nebraska, with the Florida Gators winning their first ever National Championship in program history over SEC rival LSU Tigers. There have been a lot of changes since then in the Southeastern Conference as each team tries to win the conference en route to playing in Omaha come June.
Alabama
After last year’s season of disappointment, posting a 19-34 record overall and a 5-24 SEC record, the Crimson Tide will look to bounce back. First year head coach Brad Bohannon will try to bring the Tide back to prominence and with players like preseason All American Cobie Vance and many returning players, he very well may be able to do this.
Player to watch- Infielder Cobie Vance
Arkansas
After last season’s impressive 45-19 overall record and 18-11 in the SEC, the Razorbacks will look for much of the same success in this campaign. The Razorbacks made it all the way to the championship game of the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama, losing to LSU. The Razorbacks played far into June, losing in the Regional Finals, and look to be a team primed to be in Omaha soon.
Players to watch- The entire pitching staff has MLB potential
Auburn
After last season’s impressive “comeback” season for the Tigers, they will look to advance even further in the NCAA regional this season. Auburn has set the bar high for this season and looks to build on last year as they search for a berth to Omaha. Head coach Butch Thompson has a team that is primed to do this.
Player to watch- Pitcher Casey Mize
Florida
Last season was a magical one for the Gators as they were able to win their first National Championship in program history. The Gators will be a force to be reckoned with as they have been predicted to be the preseason SEC champion. The Gators will look to repeat as national Champions this season along with winning the SEC as well.
Player to watch- Infielder Blake Reese
Georgia
The Bulldogs will look to bounce back this season after a below average one last year. After making the SEC Tournament, they were beaten the first day. A program that is not used to being beaten on the first day of the SEC Tournament, Georgia, like many other teams, has set the bar high this season. This season, the Bulldogs will look to bounce back and have hopes of playing far into the postseason.
Player to watch- Outfielder Keegan McGovern
Kentucky
The Wildcats had an impressive season last year and one of the best they have had in program history by making their first ever NCAA Regional. The Wildcats will look to build upon last season as they will try to win the SEC and might even make it further nationally as they could see their dreams of going to Omaha becoming a reality. Pitching is the key to the Wildcats making a postseason run.
Player to watch- Pitcher Sean Hjelle
LSU
The Tigers will look to build on last season after winning the SEC Tournament. They will look to make an appearance back in Omaha, where they just fell short to SEC foe Florida last year. The Tigers are very familiar with Omaha, as it seems like year after year they find themselves playing there in June.
Player to watch- Infielder Josh Smith
Mississippi State
After a great season last year, the Bulldogs will look to build on their success as they made it all the way to the Super Regional. The bulldogs have a program that is on the rise and this year they will look to continue their success. After the loss of Player of the Year Brent Rooker, it will be tough, but the Bulldogs will use their youth to build.
Player to watch- Pitcher Zach Neff
Mississippi
Much like their in state rivals, Mississippi State, the Rebels are primed for another great season as they look to make the dream come true of making it all the way to Omaha. The state of Mississippi baseball is on the rise. The Rebels will look to win the SEC and with the amount of strong hitters they have, this could very well happen come May.
Player to watch- Pitcher Mike Bianco
Missouri
The Tigers had a bounce back season in 2017 as they were above .500 for the first time in a few seasons. The tigers will look to build off this success as they look for continued success into the postseason.
Player to watch- Pitcher Andy Toelken
Texas A&M
The Aggies had a very strong season last year and will look for continued success this year as they just fell short of making it to Omaha last season. With the pitching and hitting the Aggies have, they look to be a team that could be playing baseball long into the summer this season.
Player to watch – Infielder Michael Hellman
South Carolina
The Gamecocks have been a baseball powerhouse for a while now and after last season’s continued success they will look to make it back to Omaha, a place, like many of the SEC teams, they have been very familiar with in the past years.
Player to watch- Pitcher Ridge Chapman
Tennessee
The Vols look like a team that seems to be heading in the right direction as last year they posted an above .500 record for the first time in a while. The Vols have struggled in the sport of baseball for a while now and after showing signs last season of heading in the right direction, they will look to continue with their positive improvement.
Player to watch- Infielder Andre Lipcius
Vanderbilt
The Commodores have been a baseball powerhouse in the past years and after a disappointing season last season, Head Coach Tim Corbin will have his team primed and ready to make another big postseason run. The Commodores had a very up and down season last year as they saw themselves in and out of the polls and showed no real consistency. They will hope to get back to playing in their 2014 form when they won the National Championship.
Player to watch- Pitcher Mason Hickman
My Predictions:
SEC Championship- LSU v Florida (Florida wins)
National Championship- Florida v Oregon State (Florida wins)
