The Athletic Pre Season Baseball Rankings

[SNAFU]

1. A&M
2. Arky
3. UVA
4. LSU
5. Tennessee
Why they’re ranked here: The 2024 national champions had to reload over the summer, but coach Tony Vitello and his staff accumulate talent as well as anyone in the country. They hit the portal hard, bringing in high-profile players like infielders Andrew Fischer (Ole Miss) and Gavin Kilen (Louisville) and left-hander Liam Doyle (Ole Miss) to pair with returners like center fielder Hunter Ensley, Freshman All-American shortstop Dean Curley and right-hander Nate Snead.

Why there’s room for improvement: The last few national champions have struggled to maintain an elite level through significant roster turnover. Tennessee is not short on talent, but how quickly will the Vols jell, and who will emerge as leaders to replace Drew Beam, Blake Burke and Christian Moore?

Opposing coach: “Obviously they lost a couple first-round bats, but they added two top-three-rounders to the lineup through the portal. I’m sure there are other big arms there, but a few of those starters that pitched them (to the championship) are gone. What’s it going to be like on the mound? But they seem good.”
6. UF
7. FSU
8. Clemson
9. Oregon St.
10. UNC
11. Duke
12. UGA
13. Oregon
14. NC State
15. Arizona
16. Vandy
17. Wake Forest
18. Texas
19. Okie St.
20. Dallas Baptist

 

[fryeguy93]

I feel the Arkansas is on the long slide into mediocrity. A ranking of 2 with their offensive output - or lack thereof, in 2024 seems unsubstantiated as I am not sure their trophy-less coaching staff has fully addressed the issue.

And despite all the talk about their superb pitching staff, Tennessee has outperformed them since 2021 on the mound. (In Frank We Trust IFWT)

UVA gets love because they are talented- and because the polls don't want an all-SEC top-5.

Florida has more to replace than Tennessee does.
This poll did not give the hype to UGA that others did, and I like it.
Not buying Clemson.
I think Oregon State is legit
Vandy's continued roll downhill is properly noted.
I think Texas will do well in 2025.

If Tennessee can avoid the slow start that has plagued the last three national title winners, then we'll be fine as we should be rolling by May.

 

[VolGirl81]

I have tix to see UVA-Maryland in March in my hometown MILB park. Excited too see what the hoos have and hoping we don’t get snowed out!

 

[volanatic]

I feel the Arkansas is on the long slide into mediocrity. A ranking of 2 with their offensive output - or lack thereof, in 2024 seems unsubstantiated as I am not sure their trophy-less coaching staff has fully addressed the issue.

And despite all the talk about their superb pitching staff, Tennessee has outperformed them since 2021 on the mound. (In Frank We Trust IFWT)

UVA gets love because they are talented- and because the polls don't want an all-SEC top-5.

Florida has more to replace than Tennessee does.
This poll did not give the hype to UGA that others did, and I like it.
Not buying Clemson.
I think Oregon State is legit
Vandy's continued roll downhill is properly noted.
I think Texas will do well in 2025.

If Tennessee can avoid the slow start that has plagued the last three national title winners, then we'll be fine as we should be rolling by May.

Well said.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

I feel the Arkansas is on the long slide into mediocrity. A ranking of 2 with their offensive output - or lack thereof, in 2024 seems unsubstantiated as I am not sure their trophy-less coaching staff has fully addressed the issue.

And despite all the talk about their superb pitching staff, Tennessee has outperformed them since 2021 on the mound. (In Frank We Trust IFWT)

UVA gets love because they are talented- and because the polls don't want an all-SEC top-5.

Florida has more to replace than Tennessee does.
This poll did not give the hype to UGA that others did, and I like it.
Not buying Clemson.
I think Oregon State is legit
Vandy's continued roll downhill is properly noted.
I think Texas will do well in 2025.

If Tennessee can avoid the slow start that has plagued the last three national title winners, then we'll be fine as we should be rolling by May.

I was in Omaha, other than FSU the ACC teams didn’t the same level of talent.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

I would say Texas is very underrated.

 

[hUTch2002]

1. A&M
2. Arky
3. UVA
4. LSU
5. Tennessee
Why they’re ranked here: The 2024 national champions had to reload over the summer, but coach Tony Vitello and his staff accumulate talent as well as anyone in the country. They hit the portal hard, bringing in high-profile players like infielders Andrew Fischer (Ole Miss) and Gavin Kilen (Louisville) and left-hander Liam Doyle (Ole Miss) to pair with returners like center fielder Hunter Ensley, Freshman All-American shortstop Dean Curley and right-hander Nate Snead.

Why there’s room for improvement: The last few national champions have struggled to maintain an elite level through significant roster turnover. Tennessee is not short on talent, but how quickly will the Vols jell, and who will emerge as leaders to replace Drew Beam, Blake Burke and Christian Moore?

Opposing coach: “Obviously they lost a couple first-round bats, but they added two top-three-rounders to the lineup through the portal. I’m sure there are other big arms there, but a few of those starters that pitched them (to the championship) are gone. What’s it going to be like on the mound? But they seem good.”
6. UF
7. FSU
8. Clemson
9. Oregon St.
10. UNC
11. Duke
12. UGA
13. Oregon
14. NC State
15. Arizona
16. Vandy
17. Wake Forest
18. Texas
19. Okie St.
20. Dallas Baptist

Only 5 of the top 6? SEC must be down.

 

[bigmac]

Tennessee seems to be rebuilding after losing some key players, but they’ve made strong moves in the transfer portal to fill those gaps. With players like Fischer, Kilen, and Doyle joining the team, they’ve got solid talent coming in. Still, it’s unclear how quickly they’ll mesh, and they need new leaders to step up. The pitching staff could be a concern, especially after losing some important arms from the championship run.

 

[MAD]

Is this one of the major polls? Seems like in baseball there are so many. Who votes on all these different rankings?

 

[chuckiepoo]

Is this one of the major polls? Seems like in baseball there are so many. Who votes on all these different rankings?

LMGTFY…

 

[gohogs14]

I feel the Arkansas is on the long slide into mediocrity. A ranking of 2 with their offensive output - or lack thereof, in 2024 seems unsubstantiated as I am not sure their trophy-less coaching staff has fully addressed the issue.

You might be right but they did stay in the top 5 nearly all regular season last year despite the lack of offense. Hard to do much but improve offensively this year.

All depends on how the transfers work out at the plate.

 

[MAD]

You might be right but they did stay in the top 5 nearly all regular season last year despite the lack of offense. Hard to do much but improve offensively this year.

All depends on how the transfers work out at the plate.

Guys and Gals, I know we get a lot of trolls from other teams here on Volnation. But @gohogs14 is one of the good ones and adds a lot from an outsiders perspective.