Wake Forest opens the 2024 season ranked No. 1 in the Baseball America Top 25. It is the first time in the 44-year history of the Baseball America rankings that Wake has started the season ranked No. 1.
The Demon Deacons, who were the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the College World Series for the first time since 1955, return a star-studded roster featuring 2023 All-Americans Josh Hartle and Nick Kurtz. Wake last year went 54-17 and added more high-level talent through the transfer portal, including Chase Burns and Seaver King, potential first-round picks.
The SEC has eight teams in the Top 25, the most of any conference. The Atlantic Coast Conference is just behind with six representatives.
Hurricanes Debut At No. 8 In Baseball America Top 25
Skinny: The Demon Deacons last year had one of the best seasons in program history. They won the ACC, entered the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 1 and made their first trip to Omaha in more than 65 years. While they must replace program greats Rhett Lowder and Brock Wilken, the Deacs still have a quartet of players who could be first-round picks in July. That star power pushes them to the top of the Preseason Top 25 for the first time ever.
Skinny: LSU last season lived up to its immense potential, becoming just the second team in the 21st century to rank No. 1 in the Preseason Top 25 and go on to win the national championship. Despite losing Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews, the No. 1 and 2 overall draft picks, the Tigers are not short on talent. All-American third baseman Tommy White returns to anchor the lineup and LSU has arguably the deepest pitching staff in the nation.
Skinny: The Razorbacks last season shared the SEC title with Florida but injuries (and a red-hot TCU) caught up with them in the NCAA Tournament. Arkansas’ rotation is as promising as any in the country, with all-SEC lefthander Hagen Smith leading the way. The Razorbacks hit the transfer portal hard to bolster the roster and newcomers like shortstop Wehiwa Alloy and lefthander Mason Molina will be critical.
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Skinny: The Gators last year finished as runners-up to LSU in the College World Series and look dangerous again in 2024. Lefthander/first baseman Jac Caglianone, a Golden Spikes finalist last season, is perhaps the best player in the country and a building block both for the lineup and rotation. Florida has a powerful, potent lineup and if lefthander Cade Fisher makes an effective transition from the bullpen to Friday night starter, it has immense upside.
Skinny: Oregon State enters the final season of the Pac-12 as we know it as the conference favorite and with serious national championship aspirations. All-American second baseman Travis Bazzana leads the way, but he’ll have plenty of help offensively from the likes of Mason Guerra and Gavin Turley. The Beavers are deep on the mound, with returner starters Jacob Kmatz and Jaren Hunter joined by Arizona transfer Aidan May.
Skinny: TCU last season got hot in May and rode that surge all the way to Omaha. Now, the Horned Frogs have big expectations entering 2024. They played a lot of freshmen in key positions last year, so the likes of catcher Karson Bowen, shortstop Anthony Silva and No. 1 starter Kole Klecker come into this season as seasoned veterans. TCU added All-American lefthander/slugger Payton Tolle through the transfer portal, further bolstering the roster.
Razorbacks At No. 11 In Baseball America Preseason Top 25
Skinny: The Commodores last year put together a solid season before they were upset at home in regionals. This year, they’ll lean on their experienced pitching staff to carry the load and this staff, anchored by the likes of Greysen Carter, Devin Futrell and Carter Holton, looks to be up to the task.
Skinny: Tennessee again has one of the sport’s most exciting rosters. Righthander Drew Beam is among the most accomplished starters in college baseball and the Volunteers’ lineup, anchored by second baseman Christian Moore, is one of the most powerful. Tennessee must integrate some key newcomers, but it has proven adept at doing so in recent years.
Skinny: The Tigers last year executed a midseason turnaround and made a run all the way to a top-eight seed in the NCAA Tournament. That performance raises expectations for 2024, even as it must replace key players like All-American lefthander/first baseman Caden Grice. Look for outfielders Cam Cannarella and Will Taylor to lead the way for the Tigers.
Baseball America Tabs Patriots No. 23 In Preseason Top 25 Poll
Skinny: The Cavaliers are coming off a CWS trip and a 50-win season. They have to replace some key offensive pieces, but still have a dangerous, dynamic lineup with shortstop Griff O’Ferrall leading the way. If Virginia’s new-look rotation can hit on its promise, the Hoos will be aiming for a third trip to Omaha in four seasons.
Skinny: The Aggies last season started slowly before pushing Stanford to the brink in regionals. Now, Texas A&M will hope to build on that momentum. Outfielder/righthander Braden Montgomery, perhaps the top transfer addition of the summer, brings more star power to College Station. A&M needs to find the right mix on the mound, but it’s not lacking for power arms.
Skinny: South Carolina is coming off a super regional run and has one of the best sluggers in the nation in outfielder Ethan Petry. He’ll lead the powerful lineup. The pitching staff has some new faces, but has a lot of big arms with big upside.
Cozart Named Third Team Preseason All American By Baseball America, Ncbwa
Skinny: Texas has been one of the most consistent teams in the nation over the last three years and looks ready to again challenge at the top of the Big 12, which it won last season. Righthanders Lebarron Johnson Jr. and Tanner Witt could give Texas one of the best 1-2 punches in the country and it will benefit from a veteran lineup.
Skinny: The American has a new look this season but ECU’s status as conference favorite remains a constant. Righthander Trey Yesavage gives the Pirates a power arm at the front of the rotation and experienced hitters like Jacob Jenkins-Cowart and catcher Justin Wilcoxen keep the lineup dangerous.
Skinny: The Cardinal have made three straight trips to Omaha and have won back-to-back Pac-12 titles. Stanford has some star power to replace, but it has proven adept at finding the right mix year after year. Catcher Malcolm Moore anchors the lineup, while freshmen like Christian Lim and Joey Volchko will be counted upon on the mound.
Fiu Hauls In Another Baseball America Top 25 Recruiting Class
Skinny: Duke last year came one win away from ending its now 62-year CWS drought. The Blue Devils will make another run at Omaha thanks to a deep, talented pitching staff led by Jonathan Santucci and Fran Oschell III. The lineup is almost completely new, but look for senior catcher Alex Stone to lead the way.
Skinny: UNC has one of the most dynamic players in the nation in outfielder Vance Honeycutt and a deep pitching staff. It’s a familiar recipe for the Tar Heels and one that they will be hoping to ride back to the top of the ACC in 2024.
Skinny: Texas Tech has a bit of a new-look roster as it will this spring turn to a lot of newcomers or ask returners to step into new roles. But the Red Raiders’ talent is there. If players like righthander Kyle Robinson and catcher Kevin Bazzell are up for the challenge, Tech has high-level upside.
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Skinny: Longtime coach Gary Gilmore will retire following the season and the Chanticleers will be looking to send him out with a bang. They enter the season as the Sun Belt favorites thanks to their deep, powerful lineup. The pitching staff is almost entirely new, but Coastal last season hosted regionals even with a staff that ranked 176th nationally in team ERA, so it doesn’t need the pitchers to carry a heavy load.
Skinny: Iowa hasn’t won the Big Ten title since 1990 and hasn’t reached the CWS since 1972. Both are possible this year for the Hawkeyes if they’re able to capitalize on the massive promise of their rotation. Brody Brecht, Marcus Morgan and Cade Obermueller have the potential to be one of the best trios in the nation and the lineup has upside as well thanks to veterans Sam Petersen and Kyle Huckstorf.
Skinny: The Cowboys consistently find a way to compete at the top of the Big 12 and figure to do so again this season. The pitching staff is new and will have to answer the bell, but sluggers like Carson Benge and Nolan Schubart will give them time to settle into their new roles.
Ucla Ranked No. 22 In Baseball America Preseason Top 25
Skinny: The Wolfpack are one of the ACC’s more consistent teams and this year’s version has what it takes to push into the hosting mix in May. Jacob Cozart may be the best catcher in the country and NC State has a deep, veteran-laden pitching staff to lean on.
Skinny: The Tigers must replace a lot offensively, but brought in some exciting players through the transfer portal to bolster the offense. On the mound, Opening Day starter Joseph Gonzalez is back and healthy after missing nearly all of last season. If he recaptures his exceptional 2022 form and Chase
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