SEC Baseball: 4 former players to watch for during 2022 World Series
By Matt Melton
When the 2022 World Series officially begins on Friday night, multiple former SEC Baseball players will be taking baseball’s biggest stage with both the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies. Who are some of the top names from SEC Baseball taking the field in this years Fall Classic, and just how big of a role could each play in the World Series?
4 former SEC Baseball players to watch for during 2022 World Series
Alex Bregman – Houston Astros
Bregman, the former No. 2 overall pick back in 2015 out of LSU, is no stranger to the World Series as the 28-year-old has appeared in 20 career games in the Fall Classic with Houston, holding a career .647 OPS with five HR. The Astros starting third baseman, this will be Bregman’s fourth World Series, with the former LSU standout swinging a hot bat at the moment having went a combined 10-for-30 with two HR and seven RBI across the ALDS and ALCS.
Aaron Nola – Philadelphia Phillies
Selected No. 7 overall in 2014 out of LSU as well, Nola has certainly impressed in his first-ever postseason action the past couple of weeks, owning a combined 3.12 ERA with an 18:3 K:BB ratio across three starts in the NLWC, NLDS, and NLCS. Nola’s first World Series, the right-hander is set to start Game 1 on the mound for the Phillies on Friday night, and will be opposed by Houston’s Justin Verlander.
Ryne Stanek – Houston Astros
Stanek, a former first round pick in 2013 out of Arkansas, is coming off a career-year with the Astros, and enters his second World Series with Houston after posting a 4.15 ERA across five appearances a year ago. Stanek is one of the Astros top options in the bullpen, and will likely see multiple appearances in this World Series, especially after pitching a scoreless appearance in both the ALDS and ALCS.
David Robertson – Philadelphia Phillies
A former 17th round pick back in 2006 out of Alabama, Robertson is no stranger to pitching in the postseason, but this will only be his second World Series appearance, with the prior appearance coming back in 2009 against the Phillies. Now a key reliever for Philadelphia, Robertson could see time at any point in the late innings in this series, and has already made four appearances this postseason combined between the NLWC and NLCS.