The college baseball season is here, and it’s time to kick off the Road to Omaha. At Baseball America, we have a plethora of preview coverage to get you prepared for the upcoming season. We have in-depth breakdowns for each team ranked in the Preseason Top 25, conference previews, captivating features, and much more.
If you haven’t been keeping up with all the pre-season reading, don’t worry. We understand that catching up can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help. Before the college baseball season begins, here are five essential things you need to know.
1. Wake Forest starts the season as the number one ranked team. The Demon Deacons had an impressive 54-12 record last season, winning the ACC and earning the top seed in the NCAA Tournament. They made it to the semifinals of the College World Series, eventually falling to the eventual national champion, LSU. Despite losing key players like Rhett Lowder and Brock Wilken, who were both first-round picks, Wake Forest is determined to continue their success in 2024.
2. LSU is aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back College World Series championships since South Carolina in 2010-2011. Last season, the Tigers clinched the national title in a thrilling fashion. Although they lost star players Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews to the draft, LSU has reloaded their roster and boasts one of the deepest lineups in the country. With additions from the transfer portal and a strong recruiting class, the Tigers are ready to compete for another championship.
3. The SEC remains the dominant force in college baseball. The conference has produced the last four national champions and has had at least one team in the College World Series finals in 14 of the last 15 seasons. While Wake Forest leads the ACC in the preseason rankings, the SEC has five teams in the top 10 and eight teams in the Top 25. The conference is stacked with talent and is poised for another successful season.
4. The Pac-12 conference is heading into its final season as we know it. After the academic year ends, schools will be moving to different conferences, such as the ACC, Big 12, and Big Ten. This major shakeup will drastically change the landscape of college baseball. Oregon State is favored to win the Pac-12 this season, but the conference will look very different moving forward.
5. The race for Player of the Year is shaping up to be thrilling. With standout performers like Jac Caglianone, Travis Bazzana, and JJ Wetherholt, there are plenty of candidates vying for the prestigious award. Caglianone, in particular, is a strong contender after an impressive sophomore season. However, there are numerous talented players across the nation who could make a case for themselves.
So, get ready for an exciting college baseball season ahead. Stay tuned for all the action and keep an eye on these key storylines.
According to the Source baseballamerica.com