South Bound & Down
Fansided

SEC Baseball: Preseason power rankings for 2022 season

By Matt Melton

OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 30: Luke Hancock #20 of the Mississippi St. reacts after tagging out Parker Noland #25 of the Vanderbilt in a double play in the bottom of the first inning during game three of the College World Series Championship at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha on June 30, 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 30: Luke Hancock #20 of the Mississippi St. reacts after tagging out Parker Noland #25 of the Vanderbilt in a double play in the bottom of the first inning during game three of the College World Series Championship at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha on June 30, 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

10. Alabama Crimson Tide

Coming off an impressive 2021 (32-26 overall, 12-17 in SEC), Alabama enters year No. 5 under head coach Brad Bohannon with a lot of excitement coming off a regional appearance in 2021.

Even despite losing key names such as Sam Praytor and Peyton Wilson in the lineup, the Crimson Tide return multiple experienced starters such as Zane Denton, Drew Williamson, William Hamiter, Owen Diodati, and Jim Jarvis. In addition, occasional starters from last year also return in Caden Rose and Andrew Pinckney, while the Crimson Tide have also added impactful transfers such as Tommy Seidl, Eric Foggo, Dominic Tamez, and Graham Crawford to the mix.

The biggest question facing Alabama this season will come from the pitching side of things, as the Crimson Tide lost notable starters in Dylan Smith and Tyler Ras, as well as bullpen arms in Chase Lee, William Freeman, and Connor Shamblin. With likely first round 2022 Draft pick Connor Prielipp unavailable this season, Antoine Jean is the main returning option after making only six starts a year ago.

Alongside Jean, newcomers Ben Hess and transfer Hunter Furtado will likely see time, as well as transfer Garrett McMillan and Grayson Hitt. Landon Green and Jacob McNairy will be two experienced options in the late-innings, as well as left-hander Brock Guffey.

The biggest key for the Crimson Tide to return to postseason play this season is undoubtedly pitching. If one-to-two arms can emerge in both the rotation and bullpen this season, Alabama will be back in a regional in 2022.

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