Baseball America predicts five SEC teams, 2 ACC teams and Coastal Carolina will be in the final eight in Omaha this year.
From BA's lips to God's ears.
The two ACC teams include FSU and next weekend's opponent North Carolina. Should be a great series.
(Florida State 34-10, No. 7 RPI) BA says: "(with) a statement series win over Clemson, Florida State looks like a team built to play deep into June. The offense has length, the rotation is reliable and there’s enough high-end arm talent in the bullpen to hold up against elite competition. This group has the tools and now the bracket break to chase a return trip to Omaha.
North Carolina (37-10, RPI 8): BA says "Their upside remains as intriguing as any team in the field. At full throttle, this offense can score in bunches with a deep, diverse skill set. But where Carolina really separates is on the mound. Few staffs combine swing-and-miss stuff with strike-throwing like this one, and the team-wide FIP of 3.97 backs it up. With a more favorable draw in the latest projection, the pieces are in place for a deep run."
The five SEC teams include:
Arkansas (40-9, RPI 4). Baseball America evaluation: "The Razorbacks’ arms are legit, their bullpen is battle-tested and their offense can reach a gear few others can. After a statement last weekend (swept No. 1 Texas) there’s no justifiable reason to leave the Razorbacks off this list for what would have been the first time.
Georgia (39-11 RPI: 2) BA says: No team in the country is hotter than Georgia, which just climbed to No. 1 in the BA Top 25 and sits one win away from its seventh 40-win season this century. Explosive on offense, surging on the mound and built with balance throughout the roster,
LSU (38-11; RPI 9): BA says: LSU looks like the clear favorite in its projected regional and super, and this is still the same ultra-talented group we’ve raved about all season.
Tennessee (38-11 RPI: 13) BA says: This was the toughest call of the week. The Volunteers haven’t looked like themselves lately, dropping four of their last five series,... But even with those red flags, Tennessee’s raw talent, postseason pedigree and Tony Vitello’s track record are enough to keep them in the eight—for now. When this team is locked in, it can overwhelm anyone in the country. I’m betting they rediscover that form in time.
Texas (38-9, RPI 1) BA Says: Roared through SEC play with a 19-2 start, surged to No. 1 spot in RPI and still hold that perch event after getting swept by Arkansas.That stumble raises fair questions, though, especially with injuries to some Texas stars like ace Jared Spencer, outfielder Max Belyeu and third baseman and left fielder Adrian Rodriguez, who’s been limited to lefthanded swings only due to injury. But this team has earned the benefit of the doubt. It’s deep, battle-tested and still owns a postseason resume as strong as anyone’s. With a closing kick against Florida and Oklahoma, Texas has a chance to reassert itself and remind everyone why it’s been the most complete team in college baseball.
And then there's the one team not in the SEC or ACC and it's not a Big10 or Pac12 team. It's...
Coastal Carolina (39-11 RPI 11). BA's evaluation is: "The numbers on the mound are elite - Top 10 percent nationally in walk rate, strikeout rate, WHIP and FIP. Offense has question marks..."
Ain't this time of year fun?
From BA's lips to God's ears.
The two ACC teams include FSU and next weekend's opponent North Carolina. Should be a great series.
(Florida State 34-10, No. 7 RPI) BA says: "(with) a statement series win over Clemson, Florida State looks like a team built to play deep into June. The offense has length, the rotation is reliable and there’s enough high-end arm talent in the bullpen to hold up against elite competition. This group has the tools and now the bracket break to chase a return trip to Omaha.
North Carolina (37-10, RPI 8): BA says "Their upside remains as intriguing as any team in the field. At full throttle, this offense can score in bunches with a deep, diverse skill set. But where Carolina really separates is on the mound. Few staffs combine swing-and-miss stuff with strike-throwing like this one, and the team-wide FIP of 3.97 backs it up. With a more favorable draw in the latest projection, the pieces are in place for a deep run."
The five SEC teams include:
Arkansas (40-9, RPI 4). Baseball America evaluation: "The Razorbacks’ arms are legit, their bullpen is battle-tested and their offense can reach a gear few others can. After a statement last weekend (swept No. 1 Texas) there’s no justifiable reason to leave the Razorbacks off this list for what would have been the first time.
Georgia (39-11 RPI: 2) BA says: No team in the country is hotter than Georgia, which just climbed to No. 1 in the BA Top 25 and sits one win away from its seventh 40-win season this century. Explosive on offense, surging on the mound and built with balance throughout the roster,
LSU (38-11; RPI 9): BA says: LSU looks like the clear favorite in its projected regional and super, and this is still the same ultra-talented group we’ve raved about all season.
Tennessee (38-11 RPI: 13) BA says: This was the toughest call of the week. The Volunteers haven’t looked like themselves lately, dropping four of their last five series,... But even with those red flags, Tennessee’s raw talent, postseason pedigree and Tony Vitello’s track record are enough to keep them in the eight—for now. When this team is locked in, it can overwhelm anyone in the country. I’m betting they rediscover that form in time.
Texas (38-9, RPI 1) BA Says: Roared through SEC play with a 19-2 start, surged to No. 1 spot in RPI and still hold that perch event after getting swept by Arkansas.That stumble raises fair questions, though, especially with injuries to some Texas stars like ace Jared Spencer, outfielder Max Belyeu and third baseman and left fielder Adrian Rodriguez, who’s been limited to lefthanded swings only due to injury. But this team has earned the benefit of the doubt. It’s deep, battle-tested and still owns a postseason resume as strong as anyone’s. With a closing kick against Florida and Oklahoma, Texas has a chance to reassert itself and remind everyone why it’s been the most complete team in college baseball.
And then there's the one team not in the SEC or ACC and it's not a Big10 or Pac12 team. It's...
Coastal Carolina (39-11 RPI 11). BA's evaluation is: "The numbers on the mound are elite - Top 10 percent nationally in walk rate, strikeout rate, WHIP and FIP. Offense has question marks..."
Ain't this time of year fun?
