SEC Player of the Year Award Power Rankings

10. LHP Hagen Smith (Arkansas)

last week's ranking: Honorable Mention

What Arkansas' pitching staff is doing this year is absurd, and the ace at the front of that staff is Hagen Smith. While we did not get to see Smith and Luke Holman go head-to-head last week like we had hoped, it was still a fun series between Arkansas and LSU (and Smith impressed once again). In his start on Thursday, he went 6 innings, allowing 2 ER while striking out 10 batters with no walk (5 hits allowed).

On the year, Smith now has a 5-0 record, a 1.54 ERA (3rd in the SEC), a superb 72:10 K/BB ratio, and opponents are hitting an SEC-low .136 against him in 35 IP (7 starts). Smith's 72 K's also leads the SEC and ranks fourth nationally.

This upcoming weekend, Arkansas will take on Ole Miss (with the series beginning on Thursday).

9. OF Kavares Tears (Tennessee)

last week's ranking: 10

Tears played a key role in Tennessee winning the series over Georgia this past weekend. As a whole last week, Tears hit 6/13 with 3 doubles, 3 RBI, and 5 runs. On the year, he is now third in the SEC with a .413 Batting Average. He also has a .504 OBP and a .761 SLG (1.265 OPS) with 8 HR, 8 doubles, 26 RBI, and 40 runs (T-3rd in SEC).

Looking ahead, Tears and Tennessee will take on Auburn this weekend.