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The 2024 College World Series has turned out to be an ACC-SEC race, as both conferences had four teams who qualified for college baseball's big event.
The SEC is represented by the nation's top-3 - Tennessee, Kentucky and Texas A&M - and last year's NCAA Baseball Tournament runner-up Florida. These four teams have standout players capable of stepping up to the plate and delivering important wins that will benefit their teams in the CWS.
Considering thaat, here are the top five SEC players fans should watch in the College World Series.
Top five SEC players to watch out for in the 2024 College World Series
#5 Blake Burke, 1B, Tennessee
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Blake Burke has emerged as one of the most consistent players for Tennessee in the regionals and super regionals. The six-foot-three first baseman scored two runs in the Volunteers' win over Northern Kentucky in the regional.
He followed that up in Game 3 of the Volunteers' 12-1 super regional victory over Evansville, drilling two home runs and a career-high three doubles. He finished with five RBIs in that College World Series-clinching game.
The third-year player is .376 with 19 homers and 56 RBIs in 66 games this season. His on-base percentage is .449, while his slugging rate is .713. Burke has stolen 10 bases this year for Tennessee.
#4 Mason Moore, RHP, Kentucky
Mason Moore has been one of the reasons for Kentucky's surge in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The right-hander is 8-3 in 15 regular-season starts for the Wildcats.
Despite having a high ERA, the six-foot-four junior out of Morehead, Kentucky, pitched solidly in the regional and super regional closeout games against Indiana State and Oregon State.
Moore pitched six innings in the regional final against the Sycamores and didn't allow a run. He surrendered four hits and struck out six batters to take the win. In Game 2 of the super regional against the Beavers, he started and earned one run in 3 1/3 innings. He had four strikeouts but had six walks.
#3 Jace Laviolette, OF, Texas A&M
Jace LaViolette has been one of the vital forces behind Texas A&M's surge this season.
In 62 games, the six-foot-six sophomore has hit .314 (75 hits in 239 at-bats) and scored 83 runs. LaViolette smacked 28 home runs and batted in 77 runs this season. The Tompkins standout has a .453 on-base percentage and a .757 slugging rate.
Expect LaViolette to deliver the crucial hits for the Aggies, especially that fellow outfielder Braden Montgomery is expected to miss the rest of the season due to a leg injury.
#2 Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee
Christian Moore is one of the key players in Tennessee's rampage this season. In 66 games, he hit .375 (101-of-269) and scored 75 runs. The second baseman has smacked 32 home runs and recorded 71 RBIs this year and has an on-base percentage of .453 and slugging percentage of .796.
Moore will lead Tennessee's power surge in the College World Series as they seek to win their first national title.
#1 Jac Caglianone, Utility, Florida
Jac Caglianone is arguably one of the best dual threats in college baseball. In 15 starts as a pitcher, Caglianone is 5-2 with a 4.71 ERA. He struck out 82 batters and recorded 48 walks in 72.2 innings played.
As a batter, the six-foot-five left-hander has hit .411 (97-of-236 at bats) and scored 79 runs. He has smacked 33 home runs and recorded 68 RBIs. His on-base percentage is phenomenal at .532, while his slugging rate is .860. He has 52 walks.
Caglianone hopes to carry his power surge in the CWS. He hit .364 with four homers and 10 RBIs in the NCAA Tournament.
Who among the SEC stars will stand out in the 2024 College World Series? Let's know your views in the comments section:
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