Ariel Antigua—Best Defensive SS in College Baseball?

[taylorvol]

Antigua looks like the modern day version of Ozzie Smith at SS, but with a better arm. If there’s a better defensive SS in college baseball, I’d love to see him. He will own the position in 2026 and will win us some games this season as a spot starter and late inning defensive replacement IMHO. He’s magical with his glove and is underrated with the bat.

 

[knoxvol52]

Antigua looks like the modern day version of Ozzie Smith at SS, but with a better arm. If there’s a better defensive SS in college baseball, I’d love to see him. He will own the position in 2026 and will win us some games this season as a spot starter and late inning defensive replacement IMHO. He’s magical with his glove and is underrated with the bat.

I suppose I'm biased. I believe Antigua should be starting now and Curley at 3rd, where he is actually projected to play in MLB. I know Antigua bat lacks but give me his defense all day, every day.

 

[cncchris33]

I suppose I'm biased. I believe Antigua should be starting now and Curley at 3rd, where he is actually projected to play in MLB. I know Antigua bat lacks but give me his defense all day, every day.

I'd venture to guess that for a program built on gorilla ball, it's difficult for Tony to pass up on a combination of Curley, Fischer, and Bargo in favor of replacing one of their bats with Antigua. That's probably especially true when Jay Abernathy is in the lineup.

 

[Grnhead13]

I'd venture to guess that for a program built on gorilla ball, it's difficult for Tony to pass up on a combination of Curley, Fischer, and Bargo in favor of replacing one of their bats with Antigua. That's probably especially true when Jay Abernathy is in the lineup.

Agree with this and agree with OG poster on this as well.

Antigua is great defensively and given he is locked into Tennessee and healthy he should be an everyday starter next year, but one will wonder with the lack of playing this year and CTV bringing in others over him you kinda wonder what that does for ones ego/mental health. I would find it hard to believe that others haven't knocked on that door already in the off season.

 

[txbo]

Antigua looks like the modern day version of Ozzie Smith at SS, but with a better arm. If there’s a better defensive SS in college baseball, I’d love to see him. He will own the position in 2026 and will win us some games this season as a spot starter and late inning defensive replacement IMHO. He’s magical with his glove and is underrated with the bat.

Kid is going to be one of the "Boys of Summer" for a long time.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

Antigua looks like the modern day version of Ozzie Smith at SS, but with a better arm. If there’s a better defensive SS in college baseball, I’d love to see him. He will own the position in 2026 and will win us some games this season as a spot starter and late inning defensive replacement IMHO. He’s magical with his glove and is underrated with the bat.

I think his hitting has improved even if it’s a small sample size so far.

 

[Ttucke11]

I hope he sticks it out if he doesn't get a ton of run this year. I know portal is a friend of ours but next year looks to be young and fun with Lawless, Clark, Marin, Newstrom, Abernathy, Antigua, Grimmer all looking like very good players.

 

[tennrich1]

I think his hitting has improved even if it’s a small sample size so far.

Yeah...this is definitely has hindered seeing the field. Sure he's working on strength and technique at the plate. So far results have been slow but better. Sometimes...things click with timing and understanding and hitters explode. He's definitely got the glove for regular playing time.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Yeah...this is definitely has hindered seeing the field. Sure he's working on strength and technique at the plate. So far results have been slow but better. Sometimes...things click with timing and understanding and hitters explode. He's definitely got the glove for regular playing time.

He’s coming up, biding his time, in the mold of Christian Moore. He’ll be a first round pick… RedSox of course!

 

[tennrich1]

He’s coming up, biding his time, in the mold of Christian Moore. He’ll be a first round pick… RedSox of course!

I sure hope so! CLEARLY…he’s got a ton of room to improve his offense. Wish him the best! Fenway Park? A must see for baseball purist! So much history.