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SEC Baseball: Preseason award predictions for 2023 season

By Matt Melton

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 05: Chase Dollander #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers pitches in the first inning against the Baylor Bears during the Shriners Children's College Classic at Minute Maid Park on March 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 05: Chase Dollander #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers pitches in the first inning against the Baylor Bears during the Shriners Children's College Classic at Minute Maid Park on March 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Ahead of the 2023 SEC baseball season beginning Friday, let’s make a few preseason predictions on who will take home the conference’s individual awards later this spring, beginning with the SEC Player of the Year.

Preseason award predictions for 2023 SEC Baseball season

SEC Player of the Year – OF Dylan Crews, LSU Tigers

After claiming a share of the award a year ago alongside Auburn first baseman Sonny DiChiara, LSU outfielder Dylan Crews is likely the clear favorite for the 2023 SEC Player of the Year as we enter the spring. Crews, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, is coming off a 2022 season in which he slashed .349/.463/.691 with 22 HR and 72 RBI across 62 games for the Tigers.

Others to watch for: Florida OF Wyatt Langford, LSU RHP/UTL Paul Skenes

SEC Pitcher of the Year – RHP Chase Dollander, Tennessee Volunteers

Similar to Player of the Year, the 2023 SEC Pitcher of the Year could also be a potential repeat winner this spring in Tennessee right-hander Chase Dollander. Across 79 IP a year ago for the SEC champion Volunteers, Dollander owned a 10-0 record with a 2.39 ERA and 108:13 K:BB ratio, and could very easily post similar numbers in 2023.

Others to watch for: Tennessee RHP Drew Beam, Tennessee RHP Chase Burns

SEC Freshman of the Year – RHP Andrew Dutkanych IV, Vanderbilt Commodores

One of the more intriguing awards to follow this season might be for the SEC Freshman of the Year, with Dutkanych a potential name to watch for. The right-hander was considered as a Top 50 overall prospect in last year’s MLB Draft by MLB Pipeline, and could play a key role for Vanderbilt this spring as a freshman.

Others to watch for: Vanderbilt UTL RJ Austin, LSU INF Gavin Guidry 

SEC Coach of the Year – Jay Johnson, LSU Tigers

LSU should be one of the top teams in SEC baseball this season, and if the Tigers end up winning the conference as predicted in the preseason, then Johnson is likely the pick for SEC Coach of the Year. Johnson is entering his second season in Baton Rouge, coming off a year one that included a 40-22 overall record, as well as a 17-13 mark in SEC play.

Others to watch for: Tennessee HC Tony Vitello, Texas A&M HC Jim Schlossnagle 

Next. Preseason SEC Baseball power rankings for 2023 season. dark

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