Alabama Baseball 2023 Season Preview: Starting Lineup, Predictions & More

New Faces

Alabama baseball added multiple names during the offseason through their freshman class, as well as the transfer portal, that could easily make an impact this season. Here are a few of the biggest that you should know entering the year.

INF Ed Johnson

Johnson was arguably the Crimson Tide’s biggest transfer addition during the offseason, coming to Alabama from Tennessee Tech. An infielder, Johnson hit for a .367 AVG with 14 HR at Tennessee Tech a year ago, and is likely to play a significant role for the Crimson Tide in 2023.

OF Ryan Guardino

Guardino also comes to Alabama via the transfer portal from Tennessee Tech, where he was one of their top hitters a year ago. A graduate student, Guardino is coming off a 2022 season in which he hit for a .339 AVG with 16 HR across 47 games.

C Mac Guscette 

Guscette was also a key offseason transfer addition for the Crimson Tide, coming to Alabama from within the SEC at Florida. Guscette, a junior catcher, has played in 57 games the last two seasons in Gainesville, and is coming off a 2022 campaign in which he hit for a .238 AVG.

RHP Riley Quick

One of the biggest names in Alabama’s freshman class is Quick, a right-hander out of in-state Hewitt-Trussville High School. Quick was arguably the top player in Alabama high school baseball a year ago as a senior, owning a 0.92 ERA and 130:37 K:BB ratio across 82.2 IP.

RHP Brock Blatter

Blatter is also a prominent right-hander from Alabama’s freshman class, coming to Tuscaloosa out of Billings Central Catholic High School in Montana where he was the state’s top player. Blatter, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, was also selected in the 19th round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs prior to attending Alabama.

OF Max Williams

If there is a freshman outfielder at Alabama to watch for in 2023, then it’s likely Williams. Williams comes to Tuscaloosa from Clay High School in Florida, and even despite being in an experienced Crimson Tide outfield, could easily make an impact this season.

RHP Jackson Reynolds

Reynolds is an offseason transfer from UAB who is a name to watch for in the Crimson Tide’s starting rotation. Across 80.1 IP a year ago with the Blazers, Reynolds held a 3.92 ERA with a 71:21 K:BB ratio.

LHP Evan Chaffee

There are likely two freshman left-handers to watch for in Alabama’s freshman class, the first of which is Chaffee, who comes to Tuscaloosa out of Hamburg High School in New York. Chaffee was one of the top players in the state of New York a year ago, owning a 3.23 ERA, as well as a .450 AVG.

LHP Alton Davis II

The second of those two left-handers is Davis, who comes to Alabama out of in-state Hueytown High School. Davis was one of the top high school players in Alabama a year ago, as well as arguably the top left-hander.

INF Walt Bailey

Bailey is arguably the final new name to know in particular, who transfers from local Shelton State Community College. Across 43 games a year ago as a junior, Bailey hit for a .336 AVG and 24 RBI, and is a name to watch for in Alabama’s infield.