SEC Baseball: 10 former players to watch for during 2022 MLB Postseason

If you are a fan of baseball, then you likely know that the 2022 MLB Postseason is set to begin later today as the Wild Card round officially begins. With numerous former SEC Baseball players set to take the field this October in a chase for the World Series, which former conference greats should you be watching for in particular across the coming weeks?

10 former SEC Baseball players to watch for during 2022 MLB Postseason

Pete Alonso – New York Mets

Alonso, a former second round pick in 2016 out of Florida, enters the postseason coming off one of the best single seasons of his professional career with the Mets. New York’s starting first baseman, two two-time All-Star slashed a combined .271/.352/.518 across 160 games with 40 HR and an MLB leading 131 RBI.

Dansby Swanson – Atlanta Braves

An SEC Baseball No. 1 overall back in 2015 out of Vanderbilt, Swanson played in all 162 games this season as the Braves starting shortstop. Making his first career All-Star appearance, Swanson slashed .277/.329/.447 with 25 HR, 96 RBI, and 18 SB for the defending World Series champions.

Alex Bregman – Houston Astros

Taken the pick after Swanson in the 2015 draft out of LSU, Bregman appeared in 155 games this season for the American League No. 1 seed Houston Astros. During that span, the Houston third baseman slashed .259/.366/.454 with 23 HR and 93 RBI.

Aaron Nola – Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia’s No. 1 starter, the former LSU ace made 32 starts this season in one of the best single seasons of his professional career. Across 205 IP, Nola held a combined 3.25 ERA with a career-high 235 strikeouts compared to only 29 walks, as well as an 11-13 record.

Kevin Gausman – Toronto Blue Jays

Yet another former LSU ace, Gausman has been a key piece of Toronto’s starting rotation this season, making a total of 31 starts for the Blue Jays. Across 174.2 IP, the right-hander owned a 12-10 record with a 3.35 ERA and a 205:28 K:BB ratio, while also leading the American League with a 2.38 FIP.

Kyle Wright – Atlanta Braves

The former Vanderbilt ace enjoyed a massive breakout season in Atlanta, leading the MLB with 21 wins on the year. Wright, a key name in the Braves rotation, also posted a 3.19 ERA and 174:53 K:BB ratio across 180.1 IP.

Ryne Stanek – Houston Astros

Selected in the first round in 2013 out of Arkansas, Stanek has also enjoyed a career-year out of the Astros bullpen. Across 54.2 IP, the right-hander owns a combined 1.15 ERA with a 62:31 K:BB ratio.

AJ Minter – Atlanta Braves

A former second round pick out of Texas A&M in 2015, Minter has had a career-year in an Atlanta Braves bullpen that has been one of baseball’s best in 2022. Across 70 IP, Minter owns a 2.06 ERA with five saves and a combined 94:15 K:BB ratio.

DJ LeMahieu – New York Yankees

LeMahieu, a former LSU product, has done a bit of everything this season for the New York Yankees, seeing time at third, second, and first base, as well as DH. Across 125 games, LeMahieu slashed .261/.357/.377 with 12 HR and 46 RBI.

Josh Donaldson – New York Yankees

A former first round selection out of Auburn back in 2007, Donaldson has primarily served as the Yankees starting third baseman this season, while also seeing time at DH. Across 132 games, Donaldson slashed .222/.308/.374 with 15 HR and 62 RBI during his first season in New York.