Previewing the SEC Teams Inside the Top 25

Number 19, University of Alabama

Coming in at number 19 is the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide finished in fourth place in the west side of the Southeastern Conference a season ago. They had a record of 43-21 while going 16-14 in conference play.

The Crimson Tide lost their top seven hitters last summer to graduation, the Major League Draft, and the transfer portal. Although the transfer portal caused the Tide to lose their top players, it also helped them bring in multiple bats that will make an early impact.

Evan Sleight is a graduate student from Rutgers University. Last season with the Scarlet Knights, Sleight had a batting average of .315 with 12 home runs and 44 runs batted in. He also had an impressive 1.006 OPS and earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Third Team.

Another transfer to the Crimson Tide is Ian Petrutz, a junior from Maryland University. In his sophomore season, Petrutz batted .270 with 14 home runs and 56 runs batted in. He also posted a .920 OPS.

Two very solid transfers from the Big Ten that will help the Crimson Tide offensively this season. The pitching staff will be solid again as they return right handed pitcher Ben Hess, the number 45th ranked prospect on MLB Pipelines Top 100 Draft Prospects.

Hess is a junior who has been with the Crimson Tide for his entire career. Last season, Hess posted a 3.22 earned run average in 36.1 innings pitched with 49 strikeouts. Hess is a very dominate pitcher when healthy.

The Crimson Tide will look very different than last season, but they have the pieces again this year to compete in the SEC West.