Florida (2018 Record: 49-21, 20-10)
It was another great year for Florida as they won the regular season SEC title. They went to a final game in both the regionals and super regionals before advancing to the College World Series. They fell short of repeating going 2-2 in Omaha.
Returning Players
Austin Langworthy will try to anchor the offense in 2019 after hitting .290 last year with 33 runs scored, 4 home runs, and 29 RBI. Nelson Maldonado hit .273 in 2018 with 44 runs scored, 9 home runs, and 44 RBI as the team’s DH. Brady Smith (.264) will take over behind the plate. Second baseman Blake Reese hit .253 a season ago with 44 runs scored, 19 doubles, 5 home runs, and 43 RBI. Outfielder Wil Dalton hit .262 in 2018 with 60 runs scored, 18 doubles, 19 home runs, and 60 RBI. Brady McConnell will likely take over at shortstop after missing most of last year with an injury.
Tyler Dyson will lead the weekend rotation after posting a 4.47 ERA in 2018 over 50.1 innings pitched with 51 strikeouts. Jack Leftwich will slot behind him after posting a 4.20 ERA last year in 81.1 innings pitched with 84 strikeouts. Tommy Mace should be a weekend starter as well after posting a 4.16 ERA in 2018 over 62.2 innings with 45 strikeouts. Jordan Butler will be an important bullpen arm for Florida after having a 4.10 ERA last year in 52.2 innings pitched with 60 strikeouts. Hunter Ruth missed last year with Tommy John surgery and will get a shot at being the team’s closer in 2019.
Newcomers
Cory Acton is a freshman with an advanced approach at the plate who will likely take over for Jonathan India at third base and hit at the top of the lineup. Kendrick Calilao is another newcomer who is projected to be the team’s starting first baseman. Christian Scott is another freshman who is expected to make a big impact this year. Jud Fabian is a newcomer who could start in center field.
Outlook for 2019
“The 2019 team will have an experienced lineup with some talented young players who will provide depth. The starting pitching will once again be a strength with lots of talented young arms providing depth in the bullpen.” – quote provided by UF Athletics Department.
Georgia (2018 Record: 39-21, 18-12)
It was a surprise season in Athens as the Bulldogs finished second in the East behind Florida with 18 conference wins. They hosted a regional but lost back-to-back games to Duke.
Returning Players
“We have a number of guys returning, and the four main guys that stand out would be shortstop Cam Shepherd, third baseman/closer Aaron Schunk, outfielder Tucker Bradley and second baseman LJ Talley. Cam, Aaron and Tucker are going to be juniors and have been two-year starters and LJ is a senior and three-year starter. Also, catcher Mason Meadows is coming off a very good redshirt freshman year, and I expect him to be very good too. I’m expecting all those guys to step up.” – Head Coach Scott Stricklin
Shepherd hit .244 last year with 42 runs scored, 5 home runs, and 37 RBI, while Schunk hit .299 with 46 runs scored, 3 home runs, and 38 RBI. Bradley hit .299 and Talley hit .276 with 6 home runs.
Emerson Hancock will try and step up in the weekend rotation after posting a 5.10 ERA as a freshman with 75 strikeouts in 77.2 innings pitched. Schunk saved eight games last year with a 3.00 ERA in 30 innings with 31 strikeouts. Will Proctor was solid last year with a 2.42 ERA in 26 innings with 26 strikeouts and a couple of saves.
Newcomers
“We have a couple of freshmen pitchers in Cole Wilcox and Jack Gowen that will contribute. Wilcox has a presence on the mound, and we feel good about what Gowen has shown us too. Then with our new position players, we’ve got a couple of left-handed hitters who will drive in runs in graduate transfer John Cable and junior college transfer Kaden Fowler. Also, freshman catcher Shane Marshall had an outstanding fall, and he’ll see some playing time.” – Coach Stricklin
Outlook for 2019
“I’d like our starting pitchers to be more consistent. Overall, we were good as a staff in 2018. Our ERA was as good as it’s been in a long time, and we had lots of strikeouts. However, we need to get more out of our starters. Our bullpen will be a strength, and we would like to see them step up a little more too.” – Coach Stricklin
Kentucky (2018 Record: 34-22, 13-17)
Despite having a high RPI, Kentucky was left out of the NCAA Tournament last year because they only won 13 conference games and went 0-1 in Hoover.
Returning Players
First baseman/DH T.J. Collett will try to stay healthy this year after hitting .304 in 2018 over 125 at-bats with 10 home runs and 34 RBI. Outfielder Ryan Shinn hit .259 a season ago in just 81 at-bats and will be counted on in 2019. Catcher/third baseman Coltyn Kessler will look to step up in the lineup this year.
Zack Thompson enters 2019 as one of the best pitching prospects in the country. He posted a 4.94 ERA last year in just 31 innings with 42 strikeouts. Jimmy Ramsey will have a chance to start this season after striking out 42 batters in 36.1 innings last year. Carson Coleman will be a key piece out of the bullpen after posting a 3.15 ERA in 2018 over 20 innings with 32 strikeouts. Mason Hazelwood is primed for a breakout year after being named the Perfect Game Pitcher of the Year this past summer.
Newcomers
OF Jaren Shelby (Jr.), 1B Dalton Reed (Jr.), OF/IF Breydon Daniel (Jr.), RHP Hunter Rigsby (Fr.), LHP Dillon Marsh (Fr.), and RHP Cole Ayers (Fr.).
Outlook for 2019
Kentucky will be looking for depth in the pitching staff with some key losses from that position. They will also be looking to avoid injuries, which crushed them in the second half of last season.
Missouri (2018 Record: 34-22, 12-18)
It was another disappointing season for Missouri as they have still yet to reach the NCAA Tournament since joining the SEC.
Returning Players
Outfielder/first baseman Kameron Misner is the team’s top returning hitter. Last year he hit .360 with 36 runs scored, 4 home runs, and 13 stolen bases. Shortstop Chris Cornelius hit .250 last season, while outfielder Zach Hanna hit .247 with 7 home runs and 34 RBI.
TJ Sikkema is the team’s top returning starter after posting a 3.34 ERA in 2018 over 70 innings pitched with 76 strikeouts. He’ll likely be the Friday night starter. Tyler LaPlante was solid last season with a 2.75 ERA in 59 innings with 56 strikeouts.
Newcomers
“Newcomers to look out for include Gatorade Players of the Year INF/RHP Luke Mann (Missouri) and INF/RHP Seth Halvorsen (Minnesota). The transfer brothers duo of OF Clayton Peterson and OF Alex Peterson will make a serious push as everyday players at the corner outfield spots. Transfer INF Austin James is in the running for starting third baseman, while transfer RHP Trey Dillard is expected to be the team’s top relief option.” – Quote provided by Missouri Athletics Department
Outlook for 2019
“Pitching was average to above average in 2018, but the offense has struggled over the years. Looking for more consistency at the plate and hopeful we’ll see that with the surplus of newcomers present (both true freshmen and talented transfers).” – Quote provided by Missouri Athletics Department
South Carolina (2018 Record: 37-26, 17-13)
It was a very solid year for South Carolina in 2018 as they finished third in the West and swept the East Carolina regional. They then took Arkansas to a third game in the supers before being eliminated.
Returning Players
Outfielder T.J. Hopkins will try to lead this offense in 2019 after batting .345 last year in just 119 at-bats with a pair of home runs and 14 stolen bases. Noah Campbell hit .270 a season ago with 34 runs scored and 3 home runs. Jacob Olson will need to step up in the lineup after hitting .234 last year with 40 runs scored, 12 home runs, and 36 RBI.
Carmen Mlodzinski posted a 5.52 ERA last year in 45.2 innings pitched with 43 strikeouts and a save. Sawyer Bridges had a 1.35 ERA in 33.1 innings pitched with 25 strikeouts and 5 saves.
Newcomers
Andrew Eyster, Brady Allen, Josiah Sightler, Wesley Sweatt, Luke Berryhill, Reid Morgan, Hayden Lehman, and Dylan Harley.
Outlook for 2019
The bullpen looks be the strength of this team heading into the season. They lost a lot of key contributors from last year’s team, and they will have some question marks in the rotation and on offense.
Tennessee (2018 Record: 29-27, 12-18)
Tennessee played much better in conference last year, but they just missed out getting into the SEC Tournament.
Returning Players
Shortstop Andre Lipcius led the team in hitting last year at .315 to go along with 39 runs scored, 11 doubles, 7 home runs, and 42 RBI. Outfielder/infielder Jay Charleston hit .285 a season ago with 42 runs scored, 4 home runs, and 21 stolen bases. Pete Derkay is also back after hitting .254 last year with 32 RBI. Outfielder Justin Ammons hit .274 in 2018 with 34 runs scored and 3 home runs.
Garrett Stallings will lead the weekend rotation after posting a 4.58 ERA in 2018 over 78.2 innings pitched with 37 strikeouts. Garrett Crochet had a 5.51 ERA in 63.2 innings with 62 strikeouts. Will Neely posted a 4.09 ERA in 2018 over 83.2 innings pitched with 52 strikeouts. Zach Linginfelter had a 3.93 ERA a year ago in 55 innings with 71 strikeouts a pair of saves.
Newcomers
Ricky Martinez (Jr. – INF), Landon Gray (Jr. – Catcher), Connor Pavolony (Fr. – Catcher), Camden Sewell (Fr. – RHP), Jake Rucker (Fr. – INF), Alerick Soularie (So. – OF), Trey Lipscomb (Fr. – IF/RHP), and Duncan Pence ( Jr. – INF).
Outlook for 2019
“The biggest area of improvement needs to come defensively. We ranked towards the bottom of the SEC in fielding percentage last season and it cost us on numerous occasions. From the looks of things this fall, the team’s fielding and defense have already made some major strides. Starting pitching is probably the strength of the team, but there are still questions that need to be answered and roles that need to be decided in the bullpen. We must also become a more consistent team offensively as well. There were a handful of games last year that we had chances to win but we were unable to come up with key hits in big moments.” – Quote provided by Tennessee Athletics Department
Vanderbilt (2018 Record: 35-27, 16-14)
Things were a bit sketchy for Vanderbilt late in the season, but they finished with a winning conference record to make the NCAA Tournament where the once again won the Clemson Regional. They came up just short against Mississippi State in the supers.
Returning Players
JJ Bleday returns to the outfield after leading the team with a .368 average last season, but was limited to just 39 games. Austin Martin will be back atop the lineup after hitting .338 in 2018 with 44 runs scored, 14 doubles, and 22 stolen bases. Stephen Scott will bring the thump after hitting 15 home runs last season. Pat DeMarco will join him in the middle of the order after hitting 11 home runs with 43 RBI a season ago. Phillip Clarke was a Freshman All-American last year after hitting .294 with 6 home runs and 36 RBI. Ethan Paul underperformed last year, but should bounce-back on the infield in 2019.
They return all three starters to the weekend rotation, which is very rare — especially in the SEC. Last year Patrick Raby led that group with a 3.57 ERA in 68 innings pitched with 57 strikeouts. Drake Fellows posted a 3.92 ERA in 96.1 innings with 107 strikeouts. And Mason Hickman had a 5.21 ERA in 74.1 innings pitched with 66 strikeouts last year. Zach King was an important arm for Vanderiblt last year with a 3.46 ERA in 52 innings with 51 strikeouts and 3 saves.
Newcomers
Kumar Rocker was a highly touted pitching prospect coming out of high school and could play a big role in 2019 as a freshman. Right-handed pitcher Austin Becker was the the highest ranked player from Ohio last year by Perfect Game. Ethan Smith and Chance Huff are also freshman pitchers who could see immediate playing time.
Outlook for 2019
“We’d like to see more consistency on the road and during the midweeks. We weren’t as efficient as we could have been offensively. Our veteran presence and maturity of our young guys should help both areas.” – Quote provided by Vanderbilt Athletics Department
2019 All-SEC Preseason Team
C: Stephen Scott (Vanderbilt)
1B: Cole Zabowski (Ole Miss)
2B: Casey Martin (Arkansas)
SS: Will Holland (Auburn)
3B: Aaron Schunk (Georgia)
OF: Wil Dalton (Florida)
OF: Heston Kjerstad (Arkansas)
OF: Jake Mangum (Mississippi State)
DH: Nelson Maldonado (Florida)
SP: Drake Fellows (Vanderbilt)
SP: Zack Thompson (Kentucky)
SP: John Doxakis (Texas A&M)
SP: Ethan Small (Mississippi State)
SP: Tanner Burns (Auburn)
RP: Parker Caracci (Ole Miss)
RP: Matt Cronin (Arkansas)
RP: Aaron Schunk (Georgia)
Second-Team
C – Sam Praytor (Alabama)
1B – Edouard Julien (Auburn)
2B – Blake Reese (Florida)
SS – Braden Shewmake (Texas A&M)
3B – Tyler Keenan (Ole Miss)
OF – JJ Bleday (Vanderbilt)
OF – Zach Watson (LSU)
OF – Ryan Olenek (Ole Miss)
DH – T.J. Collett (Kentucky)
SP – Tyler Dyson (Florida)
SP – Jack Leftwich (Florida)
SP – TJ Sikkema (Missouri)
SP – Zack Hess (LSU)
SP – Patrick Raby (Vanderbilt)
RP – Asa Lacy (Texas A&M)
RP – Sawyer Bridges (South Carolina)
RP – Zach Linginfelter (Tennessee)
Honorable Mention:
SS – Cam Shepherd (Georgia)
SS – Andre Lipcius (Tennessee)
SS – Grae Kessinger (Ole Miss)
OF – Austin Martin (Vanderbilt)
OF – Pat DeMarco (Vanderbilt)
OF – Austin Langworthy (Florida)
OF – Daniel Cabrera (LSU)
OF – Antoine Duplantis (LSU)
OF – Steven Williams (Auburn)
OF – Thomas Dillard (Ole Miss)
OF – Kameron Misner (Missouri)
OF – Dominic Fletcher (Arkansas)
SP – Emerson Hancock (Georgia)
SP – Isaiah Campbell (Arkansas)
Predicted Order to Finish:
1. Vanderbilt
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. Tennessee
5. South Carolina
6. Kentucky
7. Missouri
