2020 College Baseball Breakdown: SEC East
February 14th is around the corner, and love is in the air – must be just about time for College Baseball season!
Let’s take a look at the SEC East.
VANDERBILT
Vanderbilt has averaged 43 Wins and 18 SEC Wins over the past 4 seasons under the legendary head coach Tim Corbin. In 2019 Vanderbilt won the College World Series Championship and had a record number of Wins (59). It seems like 2020 could be a down year for the Commodores after losing a lot of talented upperclassmen to the draft including superstar J.J. Bleday but they still have plenty of talented players to watch for this season and their rotation has a chance to possibly be better than it was a year ago. Here are some of their top players to watch:
Austin Martin is a junior right-handed hitting third baseman with the potential to be the first overall pick in 2020. All eyes will be on him this spring, in 2019 he helped Vanderbilt win the College World Series with a clutch Opening Round Game 1 Performance against Louisville in Omaha where he hit 2 HR’s. He also led the SEC in batting average (.392), on base percentage (.486), and runs scored and was also a member of Team USA’s Collegiate National Team this past summer. Martin as a freshman in 2018 played all over the diamond and has the athleticism to play almost anywhere as a pro. He is considered one of the Top 3 Draft Prospects for 2020 according to Baseball America, Perfect Game, and MLB Pipeline.
Kumar Rocker is a sophomore right-handed pitcher that became an overnight sensation as he helped lead Vanderbilt to a College World Series Championship winning the Most Outstanding Player Award at the College World Series. In a game in which Vanderbilt was facing elimination against Duke, Rocker was at his best as he threw a no-hitter against Duke while striking out 19 batters all on his wicked, nasty slider. At the College World Series with Vanderbilt once again facing elimination he rose to the occasion again, this time helping them get the Win while setting a Vanderbilt College World Series record with 11 strikeouts. He was named Freshman of the Year by D1 Baseball and Baseball America. Kumar will move into a Friday night starter role this season and is the early frontrunner for the #1 overall pick in 2021 according to Baseball America and Perfect Game.
Jake Eder is a junior left-handed pitcher that helped to secure Vanderbilt’s College World Series Championship with 3 shutout innings in the deciding game of the College World Series in 2019. He pitched as a midweek starter in 2019 and this year will move into a weekend starter’s role. Gifted lefty that has shown the work ethic and ability to improve each and every year. His fastball usually sits about 92-95 mph and he pairs that with a solid curveball and has shown feel for a changeup. He is considered a Top 75 or better Draft Prospect for 2020 with a chance to move up boards even more this spring according to Baseball America, Perfect Game, and MLB Pipeline.
Jack Leiter a freshman right-handed pitcher that could have been a potential first round pick in 2019 if it weren’t for his strong commitment to Vanderbilt. He has a chance to be a weekend starter for the Commodores, and he is the son of former All-Star and MLB Network host Al Leiter. Jack was the most polished prep pitcher in the 2019 draft class. He was an Under Armour and Perfect Game All-American in 2018 and got drafted by the New York Yankees in the 20th round in 2019.
He is a draft eligible sophomore in 2021 and is considered a Top 10 or better overall draft pick according to Baseball America and Perfect Game.
Spencer Jones is a freshman two-way player that has upside as a projectable 6’7″ left handed pitcher that can also hit and play first base. He was an Under Armour and Perfect Game All-American in 2018 and was a 31st Round Draft Pick of the Angel’s. He had a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and is attending Vanderbilt which speaks to his smarts. He is considered a Top 10 Overall Draft Prospect for 2022 according to Baseball America and Perfect Game.
FLORIDA
Florida has averaged. 47 Wins and 18 SEC Wins as well as 3 College World Series appearances including a College World Series Championship in 2017 under legendary head coach Kevin O’Sullivan. 2019 was a down year for the Gators as they had to replace 3 Top Draft Picks in Jonathan India, Brady Singer, and Jackson Kowar. The Gators will look to bounce back in a big way in 2020. Here are a few players to watch:
Tommy Mace a junior right-handed pitcher and the Friday night starter for the Gators. He led Florida in strikeouts last season, he recorded season highs in strikeouts (9) against Vanderbilt and LSU 2 of the better offensive teams in the SEC. He does a good job of mixing speeds and also uses a curveball and cutter and is considered a top 50 draft prospect according to Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, and Perfect Game.
Jack Leftwich a junior right-handed pitcher will be the Gators Saturday starter and was part of Florida’s weekend rotation last year helping to provide them with 2 weekend starters with plenty of experience. There were high expectations for Leftwich heading into 2019 and he might have taken a step backwards but really started to come into his own more down the stretch posting a 1.77 ERA over his last 3 starts and performing well in the Cape Cod League this past summer. Leftwich has a nice fastball/slider combo but needs to improve his command and control but has the talent to be an early round pick and is a Top 100 Draft Prospect according to both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline.
Jud Fabian a sophomore right-handed hitting outfielder is one of the best players in his 2021 draft class and is the top position player according to Perfect Game. He enrolled a year early so his freshman season with the Gators would have been his senior year in high school and he was able to hold his own, starting in centerfield for 54 of the 56 games they played.
He also tied for the team lead in walks and stolen bases and had 5 game winning hits for Florida.
Kendrick Calilao a sophomore right-handed hitting first basemen that saw some time in right field started 59 games as a freshman for the Gators. Calilao has good bat speed and can generate plenty of power and was one of the best hitters on Florida last season as he was their RBI leader. He’s a Top 40 College Baseball player for the 2021 Draft Class according to Baseball America and Perfect Game.
Hunter Barco a freshman left-handed pitcher and the #1 player for the 2022 Draft Class according to Baseball America and Perfect Game. He was considered one of the top prep pitchers during the summer showcase circuit in 2018 but his stock dipped a bit in 2019 and so he decided not to sign with the New York Mets in the 24th Round. His fastball sits in the mid 90s and he pairs that with a slider and a changeup that have the potential to become plus pitches in time. He could be a weekend starter this season and be a future early 1st round pick if he can live up to the hype that comes with being the #1 guy.
GEORGIA
Georgia has averaged 34 Wins and 15 SEC Wins over the past 4 seasons while improving under head coach Scott Stricklin for 3 straight seasons while making it to the NCAA College World Series tournament 2 straight years and they might have one of their best seasons in 2020. Here are a few players to watch:
Emerson Hancock a junior right-handed pitcher will have all eyes on him this spring as he has a chance to be the #1 overall pick and is the top pitching prospect in this year’s draft according to both Baseball America and Perfect Game. He is MLB Pipeline’s #1 draft prospect for the 2020 Draft. Hancock will be the Bulldogs Friday night starter and he already has solid command of his repertoire which includes a plus or better fastball which he mixes in well with a plus changeup and slider and will at times mix in a curveball that looks like it could develop into another above average or better pitch. Sometimes overlooked is the fact that he’s also a pretty good fielder for his position. He will need to prove his durability more this season as he dealt with lat and blister issues near the end of last season otherwise he was easily one of the best pitchers in the SEC and is the top pitching prospect for this year’s draft for good reason.
Cole Wilcox a draft eligible sophomore right-handed pitcher has a chance to go in the first round thanks to his incredible stuff. He impressed as a freshman in the SEC going 3-1, 2.57 ERA, and a .198 batting average against, and was a member of Team USA’s Collegiate National Team. He has a plus or better fastball that touches the upper 90s on a regular basis and looks to be a true power pitcher as he compliments his fastball with a solid slider and changeup. He has the body to be a starting pitcher but will need to improve his command and control of the strike zone to reach his potential. He is a Top 40 or better Draft prospect according to Baseball America, Perfect Game, and MLB Pipeline.
SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina has averaged 37 Wins and 14 SEC Wins but haven’t seen numbers like that since 2018. It’s safe to say that 2019 was a forgettable season for the Gamecocks and that means 2020 should be a big year for South Carolina and they need to have a big season in the SEC. They have plenty of talent and Mark Kingston should have the best rotation he’s had during his 2 seasons at South Carolina. Here are a few players to watch for:
Carmen Mlodzinski a red-shirt sophomore pitcher that is a projected First Round to top 10 overall talent based on his performance at the Cape Cod League. Mlodzinski is possibly the most intriguing pitcher as very few people have seen him be dominant. He missed a majority of the season due to a broken foot in 2019 and struggled with control throughout most of his college career. If the pitcher scouts saw dominate in the Cape Cod League can have similar success in the SEC this season he could be one of the first few college pitchers taken in this year’s draft. Mlodzinski pitches in the mid 90s with a plus fastball and has a nice slider and changeup. He is considered to be a top 20 or better college draft prospect according to Baseball America, Perfect Game, and MLB Pipeline.
Noah Campbell a junior left-handed hitting middle infielder that was considered one of the top sophomore players in the country heading into 2019 but he struggled to hit for average. Heading into 2020 he still has a good chance to be an early round draft pick if he can make more consistently loud contact. He’s a Top 100 College Draft Prospect according to Baseball America.
Brennan Milone a freshman right-handed hitting shortstop that was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 28th Round in 2019. He has quick hands and generates plenty of bat speed. He is considered a Top 20 or better College Draft Prospect according to Baseball America and Perfect Game.
TENNESSEE
Tennessee has averaged 31 Wins and 11 SEC Wins over the past 4 seasons. They have improved every season under 2 year head coach Tony Vitello. If they continue to improve like they have each year under Vitello and are able to make the College World Series tournament, it will be the first time that they’ve made consecutive Tournament appearances since 2005 when they last made it to the College World Series. Here are a few of the top players to watch:
Garrett Crochet a junior left-handed pitcher that made only 6 starts for two straight seasons. He missed some time last season due to a dislocated jaw that he suffered after taking a line drive to the chin. Crochet returned and helped Tennessee get their first College World Series tournament win since 2005. Despite missed time Crochet ranked 2nd on the team in strikeouts and 3rd in Wins. He was great this fall and that’s what helped propel him into the upper first half of the first round to Top 10 overall consideration according to Baseball America, Perfect Game, and MLB Pipeline. Crochet sat around 96-100 consistently throughout the fall and if he’s able to maintain that velocity deep into his starts this season he’s gonna be a very early pick.
Alerick Soularie is a junior right-handed hitting outfielder with a really impressive hit tool. He transferred to Tennessee from San Jacinto JC and finished 2nd in the SEC in On Base Percentage, 3rd in Batting Average and Slugging in his first season at Tennessee in 2019. He barrel balls consistently and uses the entire field and has shown the ability to have above average or better power. He’s a Top 75 or better Draft Prospect for 2020 according to Perfect Game and MLB Pipeline.
MISSOURI
Missouri has averaged 35 Wins and 13 SEC Wins over the past 3 seasons under head coach Steve Bieser. Although Missouri is not considered one of the top teams in the SEC they are competitive having finished 12 games or more above .500 and they’ve produced solid major league talent like Max Scherzer and Ian Kinsler as well as many first round pitchers in the past decade. Here is one of the top players to watch for in 2020:
Ian Bedell a junior right-handed pitcher that has spent most of his time as a reliever/closer for Missouri has a chance to be an early Round draft pick and possibly bump his stock even more this season if he can prove he has the ability to be a starting pitcher. Bedell had a ton of success this past summer as a starting pitcher in the Cape Cod League and will more than likely get a chance to start with the Tigers this spring. He has good command of his fastball and will mix in a changeup and a curveball. He is a top 100 or better overall Draft prospect for 2020 according to Baseball America, Perfect Game, and MLB Pipeline.
KENTUCKY
Kentucky has averaged 34 Wins and 13 SEC Wins over the past 3 seasons under head coach Nick Mingione. Their record has gotten worse for 3 seasons in a row and I feel their coach must have a win now type mentality now that he has more guys he recruited. They should be able to improve on their record from last season and their top player to watch is:
TJ Collett a senior left handed hitting first basemen/designated hitter that has excellent makeup and has dedicated a lot of his time in between practicing and studying, into helping bring joy to kids that are fighting cancer earning the Frank G. Ham Society of Character Award. He was a Cape Cod League All-Star this past summer and has hit 10 HR’s for 2 straight seasons with Kentucky and has participated in multiple HR Derby contests showcasing his power hitting ability. Collett is considered a top 10 senior draft prospect this year by Perfect Game.
