Perfect Game's Preseason Predictions

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Listing SEC Only

Impact Freshman
Carlos Cortes, South Carolina
You need take the bad with the good here if you’re a Gamecocks fan. The good news is that the smooth swinging Cortes will be a cornerstone of your offense for at least two years, from day one as he should hit for a high average and plenty of power in the heart of the order. The downside is that he’s a draft-eligible sophomore and if he lives up to his potential he may only have a two-year stay in Columbia. – Jheremy Brown

Josh Smith, Louisiana State
Smith wasn’t even the highest ranked recruit in LSU’s typically loaded class, but he is expected to step right into a starting role at third base as a freshman and will move over to shortstop after Kramer Robertson’s senior season. Through only his first couple of months on campus he has drawn high praise from the coaching staff, comparing his baseball acumen to that of former LSU infield greats, D.J. Lemahieu and Alex Bregman. – Matt Czechanski

Impact Transfer
Harrison Bragg, Misssissippi State
It is rare for a junior college player to come in and make such a loud impact on a roster as talented as Mississippi State’s, but Bragg is poised to do just that after a big showing in the fall. Bragg has shown big-time power thanks to his 6-foot-4, 229-pound frame and also displays quality arm strength from the left side of the infield. With the losses the Bulldogs had on offense from a season ago Bragg should certainly help fill on of those voids. – Matt Czechanski

Hunter Kiel, Louisiana State
As we’ve seen in the Major Leagues over the past few years, having a lockdown bullpen can go a very long way towards giving a team an inherent advantage over the opposition. Kiel can touch the upper-90s and will fit nicely into the back end of the Tigers’ bullpen. Even if he doesn’t actually close, as that job may belong to Hunter Newman, Kiel projects to be a dominant force that helps shorten games, a thought that, when considering LSU starters Alex Lange and Jared Pochè, should be a very positive one for LSU fans. – Brian Sakowski

Impact Senior
Jared Poche, Louisiana State
It’s hard to go wrong with a player that could finish the season as the school’s all-time leader in wins as a pitcher. Poche will rely on his fastball that will hover right around 90 mph and his quality four-pitch mix, which caused him to draw legitimate draft interest as a junior, but he opted to return after being drafted in the 14th round last June. Poche and junior Alex Lange will once again form a lethal 1-2 punch to navigate the always difficult SEC. – Matt Czechanski

Sleeping Giant
Tyler Johnson, South Carolina
South Carolina’s pitching depth has been well chronicled, and they have several candidates, especially on their staff, that could qualify for this category. Johnson in particular stands out as the team’s closer with absolutely nasty stuff, possessing a three-pitch arsenal that otherwise would place him in a starting rotation at pretty much any other school in the nation. His impact at the back end of games could be similar to that of Tyler Jay with Illinois during the 2015 season, and a similar season performance-wise could lead to an equally lofty draft slot. – Patrick Ebert

Blaine Knight, Arkansas
A legitimate high-round draft prospect who is flying a bit under the radar, Knight is a draft-eligible sophomore who looks like he’ll be Arkansas’ Friday night starter. His stuff has taken several leaps and bounds forward to now, where he’s capable of working up to 96-97 mph with his fastball and complements it with a dynamic, swing-and-miss changeup and an improving breaking ball and overall command. – Brian Sakowski


Golden Spikes Award
Evan White, Kentucky
White might not get the consideration he deserves, but the Second Team Preseason All-American had a huge sophomore season, slashing .376/.419/.535. White has the rare bats right, throws left profile and defensively has the athleticism to line up either at first base, where he has Gold Glove upside, or in the outfield. The big question with White is whether his gap power will start to turn into over-the-fence power more frequently, and if it does he’s poised for a huge year. – Matt Czechanski

Jeren Kendall, Vanderbilt
A pure athlete who plays the game in a fast-forward function, the Wisconsin native has the skill-set that very few can match throughout the nation. Kendall is an easy plus runner which allows for graceful, above average defensive actions in center field, can work either gap with his loose lefthanded stroke and continues to show over-the-fence pop with 17 home runs over the last two seasons. – Jheremy Brown

College World Series Sleeper
Texas A&M
Starting just outside of the preseason Top 25 at No. 26 to open the 2017 season, Texas A&M is extremely deep on the mound, led by ace Brigham Hill and closer Corbin Martin. However, they will have to count on either newcomers or inexperienced veterans to replace most of the starting lineup from 2016. Pitching is far from everything in college baseball, but it certainly can carry you well into the postseason. – Brian Sakowski