SEC Baseball: Preseason power rankings for 2022 season

By Matt Melton | Feb 15, 2022

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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(Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

9. South Carolina Gamecocks

One of the more-intriguing SEC Baseball teams to watch entering the 2022 season is South Carolina.

After going 34-23 overall last season (16-14 in SEC), the Gamecocks saw postseason play a year ago, and are set to return a few key names with none bigger than right-hander Will Sanders, one of the conferences better pitchers entering the year. As for other names that return, which will provide the biggest impact?

South Carolina will be tasked with replacing a few notable names in the lineup, with none bigger than power-hitters Brady Allen and Wes Clarke who combined for 36 home runs last season. Multiple other names from the lineup are gone, as well as impactful pitchers such as Brannon Jordan, Thomas Farr, Brett Kerry, and more.

The returning options are headlined by outfielders Andrew Eyster and Josiah Sightler in the lineup, as well as second baseman Braylen Wimmer and catcher Colin Burgess. Julian Bosnic is one of the conference’s better southpaws, while numerous transfers and freshman will all likely see a significant amount of time this season.

South Carolina will have to replace a lot of production from last season, but also have some quality returning pieces as well. The Gamecocks could return to the postseason in 2022, but it largely depends on the impact of their newer names.

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