FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The SEC released its annual preseason poll on Thursday, and the league's 14 head coaches selected Arkansas to win the SEC West and the 2024 baseball conference championship.
Three schools received first-place votes, with the Razorbacks tallying nine, LSU receiving three votes, and Florida, predicted to win the SEC East, receiving two.
2024 SEC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll:
SEC West
- Arkansas (9) – 87
- LSU (5) – 82
- Texas A&M – 68
- Alabama – 47
- Auburn – 46
- Ole Miss – 32
- Mississippi State – 23
SEC East
- Florida (11) – 88
- Tennessee (2) – 75
- Vanderbilt (1) – 73
- South Carolina – 50
- Kentucky – 44
- Georgia – 36
- Missouri – 19
SEC Champion: Arkansas (9), LSU (3), Florida (2)
Additionally, the conference announced its two Preseason All-SEC Teams, also selected by a vote of the head coaches. Twelve schools were represented on the All-SEC teams as Florida led the way with four selections.
Arkansas outfielder Kendall Diggs and starting pitcher Hagen Smith represented the Hogs as Preseason All-SEC First Team selections.
2024 SEC Baseball Coaches Preseason All-SEC Teams:
First Team
- C: Cole Messina, South Carolina
- 1B: Jac Caglianone, Florida
- 2B: Cade Kurland, Florida
- 3B: Tommy White, LSU
- SS: Colby Shelton, Florida
- OF: Jace LaViolette, Texas A&M
- OF: Ethan Petry, South Carolina
- OF: Kendall Diggs, Arkansas
- DH/UTL: Ike Irish, Auburn
- SP: Hagen Smith, Arkansas
- SP: Drew Beam, Tennessee
- RP: Brandon Neely, Florida
Second Team
- C: Devin Burkes, Kentucky
- 1B: Charlie Condon, Georgia
- 2B: Christian Moore, Tennessee
- 3B: Billy Amick, Tennessee
- SS: Jonathan Vastine, Vanderbilt
- OF: Braden Montgomery, Texas A&M
- OF: Dakota Jordan, Mississippi State
- OF: Bobby Peirce, Auburn
- DH/UTL: Hayden Travinski, LSU
- SP: Jac Caglianone, Florida
- SP: Carter Holton, Vanderbilt
- RP: Alton Davis II, Alabama
The No. 3-ranked Razorbacks begin their 2024 campaign with a four-game home series against James Madison starting on Feb. 16. Coverage from Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville begins at 3:00 p.m. Central on the SEC Network+.
For the complete 2024 Arkansas baseball schedule, click here.