USA TODAY Sports Network 2024 preseason All-SEC baseball team, predicted order of finish

LSU baseball, the reigning national champion, won’t be wearing the crown in the SEC this season, according to a poll of sports journalists who cover the league for the USA TODAY Sports Network. Instead, our voters have Arkansas and Florida winning their respective conferences in the 2024 season.

The Gators, coming off a loss to the Tigers in the College World Series national championship series, are led by the two-way star Jac Caglianone, the potential No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft. To no surprise, Caglianone was the unanimous preseason player of the year in our voters’ eyes.

Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan edged out Arkansas’ Dave Van Horn for preseason coach of the year. The Gators paced our All-SEC ballot with three players – Caglianone, shortstop Colby Shelton and relief pitcher Brandon Neely – getting honored.

Caglianone, Georgia first baseman Charlie Condon, South Carolina outfielder Ethan Petry and Arkansas pitcher Hagen Smith – who is the projected pitcher of the year − were unanimous preseason All-SEC selections.

Texas A&M is expected to be home to the SEC’s best new names. Utility freshman Gavin Grahovac and Stanford transfer outfielder Braden Montgomery were voted as preseason freshman and newcomer of the year, respectively.

All-SEC Preseason Team

* – unanimous selection

Catcher: Cole Messina, South Carolina

1B: Charlie Condon, Georgia*

2B: Christian Moore, Tennessee

SS: Colby Shelton, Florida

3B: Tommy White, LSU

OF: Ethan Petry, South Carolina*

Jace LaViolette, Texas A&M

Braden Montgomery, Texas A&M

DH/Utility: Jac Caglianone, Florida*

SP: Hagen Smith, Arkansas*

Drew Beam, Tennessee

Tied: Luke Holman (LSU), Ben Hess (Alabama), Carter Holton (Vanderbilt)

RP: Brandon Neely, Florida

Awards

Player of the year: Jac Caglianone, Florida*

Pitcher of the year: Hagen Smith, Arkansas

Freshman of the year: Gavin…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/usa-today-sports-network-2024-110819301.html

Author : The Clarion Ledger

Publish date : 2024-02-12 11:08:19

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