Preseason Top 25
Louisiana State opens the 2023 season ranked No. 1 in the Baseball America Top 25. It is the third time in the 43-year history of the Baseball America rankings that LSU has started the season ranked No. 1.
The Tigers sport the most talented roster in the country, featuring 2022 All-Americans Dylan Crews, Paul Skenes and Tommy White. LSU last year went 40-22 and added both the No. 1 recruiting class and the No. 1 transfer class during the offseason.
Tennessee, which spent most of the 2022 season ranked No. 1, starts the spring at No. 2. Florida, Stanford and Louisville round out the top five.
The SEC has eight teams in the Top 25, the most of any conference. The Atlantic Coast Conference is just behind with seven representatives.
The staff of Baseball America determines the Top 25 rankings.
- 1
Louisiana State
SECNotes:Last season: 40-27 (17-13 in SEC), lost in regional final
Final Ranking: No. 24
After an impressive offseason that saw LSU bring in the top-ranked recruiting class and the top-ranked transfer class, the Tigers enter the season with the sport’s most talented roster.Less - 2Last: 1
Tennessee
SECNotes:Last season: 57-9 (25-5 in SEC), lost in super regionals
Final Ranking: No. 8
Tennessee led the nation in ERA last season and now the Volunteers return the bulk of that pitching staff, led by reigning SEC pitcher of the year Chase Dollander.Less - 3Last: 4
Florida
SECNotes:Last season: 42-24 (15-15 in SEC), lost in regional final
Final Ranking: No. 22
Florida has serious star power this season thanks to the returns of All-American outfielder Wyatt Langford and righthander Brandon Sproat, an unsigned third-rounder, as well as the addition of righthander Hurston Waldrep, a veteran of Team USA.Less - 4Last: 3
Stanford
Pac-12Notes:Last season: 47-18 (21-9 Pac-12), reached CWS
Final Ranking: No. 3
The Cardinal have made the College World Series in back-to-back years and are eyeing a third straight trip thanks to a powerful offense and All-American lefthander Quinn Mathews leading the way.Less - 5Last: 4
Louisville
ACCNotes:Last season: 42-21-1 (18-11-1 ACC), lost in super regionals
Final Ranking: No. 12
The Cardinals have an exciting combination of young talent and experience, making them a favorite in the ACC and beyond.Less - 6Last: 8
Vanderbilt
SECNotes:Last season: 39-23 (14-16 in SEC), lost in regional final
Final Ranking: NR
Vanderbilt’s pitching staff is as deep as any in the country and if the Commodores’ lineup can coalesce around All-American Enrique Bradfield, its upside is tremendous.Less - 7Last: 13
Texas A&M
SECNotes:Last season: 44-20 (19-11 in SEC), reached CWS
Final Ranking: No. 3
The Aggies went from worst-to-first in the SEC West a year ago and ended the season in Omaha. Now, they’re aiming to build on that success.Less - 8Last: 6
Miami
ACCNotes:Last season: 40-20 (20-10 ACC), lost in regionals
Final Ranking: No. 14
Miami’s top-ranked 2020 recruiting class has now reached its junior season. With the likes of C.J. Kayfus and Yohandy Morales leading the way, the Hurricanes have high-end upside.Less - 9Last: 8
Wake Forest
ACCNotes:Last season: 41-19-1 (15-14-1 ACC), lost in regionals
Final Ranking: NR
Wake Forest’s talent cannot be denied, as it returns All-American Rhett Lowder to lead its rotation and a powerful offense. Now, the Demon Deacons just need to put it all together for a chance at their first trip to Omaha since 1955.Less - 10Last: 11
Mississippi
SECNotes:Last season: 42-23 (14-16 in SEC), won national title
Final Ranking: No. 1
Fresh off the 2022 national championship, the first in program history, Ole Miss is back with another ultra-talented team in 2023. Repeating isn’t easy, but the Rebels have the talent to make another postseason run.Less - 11Last: 7
Arkansas
SECNotes:Last season: 46-21 (18-12 in SEC), reached CWS
Final Ranking: No. 4
The Razorbacks have to reload after losing several key players from their Omaha team, but they have the makings in Fayetteville of another potent offense and powerful pitching staff.Less - 12Last: 14
UCLA
Pac-12Notes:Last season: 40-24 (19-11 Pac-12), lost in regional final
Final Ranking: No. 23
The Bruins were young last year, as they leaned on their top-ranked 2021 recruiting class. Now a little older, they are ready to take the next step forward.Less - 13Last: 11
Virginia Tech
ACCNotes:Last season: 45-14 (19-9 ACC), lost in super regionals
Final Ranking: No. 10
Virginia Tech last year hammered its way to the ACC title. The Hokies are ready for another fun season in Blacksburg with their powerful offense and 1-2 punch in the rotation of Griffin Green and Drue Hackenberg leading the way.Less - 14Last: 15
Texas Christian
Big 12Notes:Last season: 38-22 (16-8 in Big 12), lost in regional final
Final Ranking: No. 20
TCU has won back-to-back Big 12 titles and has everything it needs to make it a three-peat. Star third baseman Brayden Taylor returns to anchor the offense.Less - 15Last: 16
Oklahoma State
Big 12Notes:Last season: 42-22 (15-9 in Big 12), lost in regional final
Final Ranking: No. 19
The Cowboys have a new look on the mound, but if their young pitching staff can put it together, Oklahoma State has real upside. Its double-play combination of Marcus Brown and Roc Riggio is perhaps the best in the nation.Less - 16Last: 12
Maryland
Big TenNotes:Last season: 48-14 (18-5 in Big Ten), lost in regional final
Final Ranking: No. 18
The Terrapins put together a spectacular 2022, winning the Big Ten and hosting regionals. Maryland will look to extend the party to 2023, with shortstop Matt Shaw, a projected first-round pick, anchoring a potent offense.Less - 17Last: 21
North Carolina
ACCNotes:Last season: 42-22 (15-15 ACC), lost in super regionals
Final Ranking: No. 13
UNC won last year’s ACC Tournament and outfielder Vance Honeycutt had a freshman season for the ages. UNC is primed to build off last season’s success.Less - 18Last: 19
Oregon State
Pac-12Notes:Last season: 48-18 (20-10 Pac-12), lost in super regionals
Final Ranking: No. 11
The Beavers have some big holes to fill from last season’s team, but a talented group of young players, including second baseman Travis Bazzana and righthander Jacob Kmatz, is ready to pick up the baton.Less - 19Last: 20
Virginia
ACCNotes:Last season: 39-19 (17-13 ACC), lost in regionals
Final Ranking: Not ranked
Virginia has perhaps the best lineup in the ACC, but its new-look pitching staff will have to prove itself to keep the Cavaliers among the conference’s best teams.Less - 20Last: 22
Oregon
Pac-12Notes:Last season: 36-25 (18-12 Pac-12), lost in regionals
Final Ranking: NR
The Ducks have the makings of a powerful offense, as has typically been the case under coach Mark Wasikowski. The success of their inexperienced pitching staff will determine how high they fly.Less - 21Last: 19
Southern Mississippi
Sun BeltNotes:Last season: 47-19 (23-7 in Conference USA), lost in super regionals
Final Ranking: No. 16
The Golden Eagles are coming off a super regional appearance as they move into their new home in the Sun Belt Conference. All-American Tanner Hall is back to lead what was last year one of the best pitching staffs in the country.Less - 22Last: 17
Auburn
SECNotes:Last season: 43-22 (16-13 in SEC), reached CWS
Final Ranking: No. 6
The Tigers have been to two of the last three College World Series. They have a lot of production to replace from last year’s team, but they’ve recruited well and have the talent to rebuild on the fly.Less - 23
Texas Tech
Big 12Notes:Last season: 39-22 (15-9 in Big 12), lost in regional final
Final Ranking: No. 25
The Red Raiders have a new look this year after losing several key players from last season’s team. The cupboard isn’t bare in Lubbock, however, and Texas Tech has often shown the ability to quickly rebuild under coach Tim Tadlock.Less - 24Last: 17
East Carolina
AACNotes:Last season: 46-21 (20-4 in American), lost in super regionals
Final Ranking: No. 17
The Pirates are the class of the American Athletic Conference again. Some key losses will hurt, but sophomore Jacob Jenkins-Cowart looks like he’s ready to be the next star in Greenville.Less - 25
North Carolina State
ACCNotes:Last season: 36-21 (14-15 in ACC), missed NCAA Tournament
Final Ranking: NR
NC State endured a disappointing end to 2022, as it was left out of the NCAA Tournament. But with Sam Highfill back in the rotation and a deep, powerful lineup at hand, the Wolfpack won’t stay down for long.Less
