SEC Baseball: 5 way-too-early candidates for 2024 Player of the Year

Taking a look ahead to the 2024 SEC baseball season, let’s list five way-too-early candidates to win the conference’s Player of the Year, an award that could have multiple names in the mix next spring.

5 way-too-early candidates for 2024 SEC Baseball Player of the Year

LHP/1B Jac Caglianone – Florida Gators

We begin with what is likely the most obvious selection to this list in Caglianone, who is arguably the clear way-too-early favorite for the 2024 SEC Player of the Year. A two-way player for 2023 national runner-up Florida, Caglianone slashed .323/.389/.738 with 33 HR, 90 RBI, and four SB across 71 games a year ago, while also owning a 7-4 record with a 4.34 ERA and 87:55 K:BB ratio across 74.2 IP on the mound.

3B Tommy White – LSU Tigers

LSU outfielder Dylan Crews has won the last two SEC Player of the Year awards, and the national champions could have a prominent candidate to take home the honor next year in Tommy White. The third baseman slashed .374/.432/.725 with 24 HR and 105 RBI across 66 games for LSU a year ago.

1B/OF Charlie Condon – Georgia Bulldogs

A player who took home 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year honors, Condon is another prominent home run hitter than could be in the mix for the conference’s top individual honor in 2024. Condon was Georgia’s top hitter during the 2023 season, slashing .386/.484/.800 with 25 HR and 67 RBI across 56 games.

LHP Hagen Smith – Arkansas Razorbacks

Coming off a First Team All-SEC selection last season, Smith could also be a potential candidate in the mix for 2024 SEC Player of the Year. With 11-of-18 appearances this past season having been starts, Smith posted an 8-2 record with a 3.64 ERA, two saves, and a 109:42 K:BB ratio across 71.2 IP.

OF Ethan Petry – South Carolina Gamecocks

We conclude the list here with another First Team All-SEC selection from last season in Petry, who will be entering his sophomore campaign at South Carolina. Petry slashed .376/.471/.733 across 63 games for the Gamecocks, along with 23 HR, 75 RBI, and four SB.