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SEC Baseball: 5 midseason candidates for 2023 Player of the Year

By Matt Melton

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 04: Chase Burns #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers pitches against the Texas Longhorns in the first inning during the Shriners Children's College Classic at Minute Maid Park on March 04, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 04: Chase Burns #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers pitches against the Texas Longhorns in the first inning during the Shriners Children's College Classic at Minute Maid Park on March 04, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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As we enter conference play this weekend, let’s take a look at what we have seen so far, and list five potential midseason candidates that could be in the mix to win the 2023 SEC Baseball Player of the Year later this season.

5 midseason candidates for 2023 SEC Baseball Player of the Year

LHP/1B Jac Caglianone – Florida Gators

We begin here with Caglianone, a two-way player at Florida who is arguably the frontrunner in the SEC Player of the Year conversation as we begin conference play. The sophomore has had a major impact on the Gators strong start to the 2023 season, slashing .408/.471/1.026 across 19 games with 13 HR and 30 RBI offensively, while also owning a 3-0 record with a 1.77 ERA and 26:8 K:BB ratio across 20.1 IP on the mound.

INF Colby Shelton – Alabama Crimson Tide

On the topic of noteworthy home run hitters, Shelton is another name that could be in the mix for the SEC Player of the Year as we begin conference play. Shelton, a freshman, is currently slashing .339/.423/.898 across 17 games for the Crimson Tide, along with 10 HR and 22 RBI.

RHP Paul Skenes – LSU Tigers

If there is a pitcher that could be in the conversation at the moment, there are two names that you should watch for, the first of which is Skenes. The right-hander has simply been dominant for LSU so far this season, owning a 4-0 record with a 0.75 ERA and 48:4 K:BB ratio across 24 IP.

RHP Chase Burns – Tennessee Volunteers

The second of those two names is Burns, who is having a strong start to the 2023 season for the Volunteers, owning a 2-0 record with a 1.88 ERA and 39:6 K:BB ratio across 24 IP. As you likely assume as well, neither of Tennessee’s other two weekend starters should be ruled out either in Chase Dollander and Drew Beam.

OF/C Kemp Alderman – Ole Miss Rebels

As for the final selection on this list, why not Alderman? The junior has been one of the defending national champions top hitters so far this season, slashing .391/.474/.813 with eight HR, 28 RBI, and three SB across 17 games.

Next. Arkansas, South Carolina rise in latest power rankings. dark

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