SEC Baseball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024 season
By Matt Melton
The 2023 SEC baseball season has now officially come to a close, which means that we can begin to look ahead to the 2024 campaign next spring. So, let’s do just that, and give our way-too-early power rankings for the 2024 SEC baseball season.
Way-too-early SEC Baseball power rankings for 2024 season
14. Ole Miss Rebels
We begin our way-too-early 2024 SEC baseball power rankings here at No. 14 with Ole Miss, as the Rebels will now be entering the year not holding the label of “national champions.” After what was arguably the greatest single season in program history, the Rebels simply had a down 2023, as Ole Miss was the lone SEC team to finish with a below .500 record at 25-29 overall, as well as 6-24 in conference play, to miss both the SEC and NCAA Tournaments.
Looking ahead to next season, the Rebels are likely set to lose the likes of Jacob Gonzalez, Kemp Alderman, and Calvin Harris to the MLB Draft, each of which were Ole Miss’ top three hitters this past season, as well as Second Team All-SEC selections. The Rebels should however also return a noteworthy amount of production, headlined by names such as Hunter Elliott, Brayden Jones, and Will Furniss, among others.
13. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Coming in at the No. 13 spot is Mississippi State, as the Bulldogs will also not be that far removed from a national championship themselves. Similar to in-state rival Ole Miss previously, Mississippi State also had a down 2023 season by finishing a game over .500 at 27-26 overall, as well as 9-21 in SEC play, to also miss both the SEC and NCAA Tournaments.
As for next seasons roster, the Bulldogs will likely lose the likes of outfielder Colton Ledbetter to the MLB Draft, who was Mississippi State’s top AVG hitter, along with potentially a few others. The names set to return for Mississippi State however are set to be headlined by First Team All-SEC selection Hunter Hines, All-Freshman selection Dakota Jordan, Jurrangelo Cijntje, and more.