Number 2, University of Florida
The Florida Gators are the highest ranked team in the Southeastern Conference this year. The Gators finished the 2023 season with a record of 54-17 while going 20-10 in conference play. This record earned them first place in the east side of the Southeastern Conference.
The Gators are coming off a tough loss in the College World Series Championship against LSU. Florida is returning multiple draft prospects this year which will make thier offense lethal to opposing pitchers.
Jac Caglianone is the best two-way in the country. He is also ranked as the fifth best prospect for this years draft according to MLB Pipeline. Last season, Caglianone batted .323 with 33 home runs, which was the most among all division one players, and 90 runs batted in. On the mound, he posted a 4.34 earned run average in 74.2 innings pitched with 87 strikeouts.
From the transfer portal, the Gators were able to pick up Colby Shelton. After a great freshman, season, Shelton was named a freshman All-American. In that great freshman season, Shelton had a batting average of .301 with 25 home runs and 51 runs batted in. His OPS is very high at 1.149.
Another transfer coming to Florida is catcher Brody Donay from Virginia Tech University. Donay is a very good defensive catcher and has a solid bat. Last season, Donay batted .260 with 12 home runs and 38 runs batted in. He also had a solid .937 OPS.
Florida once again has a great team all around. They are the second best team in the country and have a high chance to win the SEC this year.
The Southeastern Conference is stacked this year. Eight teams are ranked in the top 25 to start off the season. Six of those eight are in the top ten. It will be a very fun season this year with so many great teams.