2. Vanderbilt Commodores
The 2021 national runner-up, Vanderbilt enters the 2022 season at No. 2 coming off a 49-18 2021 season that saw the Commodores go 19-10 in SEC play.
Despite losing multiple key names from a year ago, especially in the rotation, Vanderbilt returns a talented roster that is headlined by three preseason First-Team All-SEC selections in outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr, first baseman/catcher Dominic Keegan, and right-hander Nick Maldonado.
An already talented group with just those three, the Commodores also return one of the conference’s better shortstops in Carter Young to help lead an experienced lineup. In addition to Young, a few other familiar faces such as Parker Noland and Isaiah Thomas also return, as well as a potential breakout candidate in Spencer Jones likely seeing additional playing time in 2022.
As for the biggest question mark facing Tim Corbin’s Commodores entering the year, replacing the standout duo of Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter in the rotation will be key. For what will be a young, but talented, Vanderbilt rotation this season, the Commodores will be counting on breakout sophomore seasons from the likes of Christian Little and Patrick Reilly, while the previously mentioned Maldonado and Thomas Schultz are the most-experienced options.
Regardless of the rotation unknown at the moment, the Commodores will be led by what will be one of the top lineups in SEC Baseball. Don’t be surprised if Vanderbilt is back playing for a national championship later this season.