SEC baseball is almost here. Opening Day is Friday, meaning college baseball’s next national champion will soon begin the long march to coronation. With the SEC holding 4 consecutive College World Series titles, and 5 of the past 5 (with 5 different teams, no less), it’s a fair bet that the SEC will define college baseball in 2024, too.

Who will define the SEC? Here are 20 names worth knowing to start what promises to be a banner baseball season:

Jac Caglianone, Florida

If you missed last season, Caglianone is the Shohei Ohtani of the SEC. Hence, the nickname: “Jac-tani.” Like Ohtani, he’s a slightly better bet as a hitter (.323, 33 home runs, 90 RBIs) than a pitcher (7-4, 4.34 ERA, 87 strikeouts in 74 2/3 innings). But he’s a first-team All-SEC first baseman and a second team All-SEC pitcher. And he’s the reason Florida is favored to win the East and make another run to Omaha.

Colby Shelton, Florida

You know about the transfer craziness in football and basketball? It’s not just in football and basketball. Witness sophomore Shelton, who hit .300 with 25 homers last year for Alabama and is now Florida’s All-SEC shortstop.

Tommy White, LSU

“Tommy Tanks” was an RBI machine last season from LSU. After a brilliant freshman year at NC State, White hit .374 with 24 homers and 105 RBIs last year to help the Tigers win the College World Series. He’s the best pure bat in the league — and maybe in America. White is among the leaders in the Golden Spikes Award race and a reason Louisiana sports betting sites have the Tigers’ preseason odds at +750 to win the College World Series.

Ike Irish, Auburn

Irish was an outstanding freshman for Auburn last season. He’s more of a singles and doubles hitter than a homer threat — or was. Irish hit .361 with 24 doubles and 50 RBIs. He could hit .400 this year or develop 15+ homer power. Or both.

Charlie Condon, Georgia

Speaking of superb freshmen, Condon tied with Colby Shelton for the freshman league lead in homers with 25 a season ago. He hit .386 and knocked in 67 runs. MLB scouts love Condon’s future. He could be the first SEC player selected in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Ethan Petry, South Carolina

Why not another elite freshman of a year ago? Petry hit .376 with 23 homers and 75 RBIs for Carolina last season. At 6-4 and 235 pounds, his frame could allow for even more power. With Carolina picked for the middle of the league standings, Petry could change that prognosis.

Drew Beam, Tennessee

Chase Burns and Chase Dollander were more highly touted, but Beam was excellent a year ago for Tennessee. With a 9-5 record and a 3.63 ERA, Beam fanned 88 hitters in 84 1/3 innings. With Dollander in professional baseball and Burns off to Wake Forest, Beam will have to keep UT in the East hunt this season. He may well do it. Las Vegas thinks it’s possible. Tennessee betting sites have the Vols among the favorites to win the CWS.

Kendall Diggs, Arkansas

As the top hitter on the top SEC preseason squad, Diggs will have some pressure on him. But the junior should be used to it. A season ago, he hit .299 with 12 homers and 63 RBIs. This came after hitting .197 with 3 homers as a freshman. Could he make another leap? Don’t bet against it.

Hagen Smith, Arkansas

Smith emerged as a top lefty a season ago, going 8-2 with a 3.64 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings. In addition to 11 starts, he came out of the bullpen 7 times, even posting two saves. Left-handed, versatile, and throwing absolute filth, Smith will cause opposing hitters to beg out of many games.

Christian Moore, Tennessee

A season ago, Tennessee had a veritable offensive Murderers’ Row on offense. But graduation and MLB Draft entry have narrowed the group. Moore, a second baseman, is probably the top bat left. The junior hit .304 with 17 home runs a season ago, while also stealing 16 bases. A 25/25 type season is possible in ’24.

Billy Amick, Tennessee

But don’t feel too bad for the Vols because they nabbed Clemson transfer Amick. All he did in the ACC last season was hit .413 with 13 homers and 63 RBIs in just 46 games. Amick is the son of NASCAR driver Lyndon Amick and will play third base in Knoxville.

Braden Montgomery, Texas A&M

An addition from Stanford, A&M hopes Montgomery can do for the Aggies what Tommy White did for LSU. Last season, Montgomery hit .336 with 17 homers for the Cardinal. He has an incredible outfield arm as well, and could even pitch, if needed. He was a key reason Stanford reached the College World Series last season. Montgomery is the No. 10 prospect in MLB.com’s initial 2024 draft rankings.

Jonathan Vastine, Vanderbilt

Lest anyone forget the Commodores, Vastine is a typical Vandy prospect — skilled, tough, smart and durable. A season ago, he hit .287 with 5 homers and provided excellent defense up the middle at shortstop.

Carter Holton, Vanderbilt

This tough lefty was limited by injuries in 2023, but when healthy, he was outstanding, going 4-1 with a 4.11 ERA. He allowed only 4 home runs and fanned 56 opposing hitters in 50 1/3 innings pitched.

Cam Johnson, LSU

It’s hard to know which freshmen can shine, but Johnson is worth a long look. A 6-5, 251-pound specimen, the lefty pitcher can reach into the upper-90s in velocity and has a breaking ball to back it up. He was a top-50 prospect in the MLB Draft but stayed committed to the Tigers. LSU’s pitching staff is loaded with Top-50 draft prospects like Thatcher Hurd, Luke Holman and Gage Jump, so there’s no need to rush Johnson. Still, the smart money is on LSU relying on Johnson sooner rather than later.

Gavin Grahovac, Texas A&M

Grahovac fits in the same group of potential freshman stars. He can play anywhere in the field, has an impressive power bat, and projects to look nothing like a freshman. If the Aggies want to make strides in the West, Grahovac could be a big part of that move.

Kerrick Jackson, Missouri

Hey, the people to know aren’t just players. Jackson, hired by Missouri, became the first Black head coach in SEC baseball history. Jackson’s prior career is most notably for him turning Southern from a 9-33 team in his first season to an NCAA Tournament team his second season. Jackson, who is from Missouri and was an assistant at Mizzou from 2011-2015, is a wise risk for the Tigers.

Wes Johnson, Georgia

Georgia has not claimed a conference title or reached Omaha since 2008. Former LSU pitching coach Wes Johnson, fresh off leading Paul Skenes and the Tigers to the CWS crown in 2023, was hired to right the ship. A season ago, Georgia had a 6.44 ERA. It’s safe to assume that statistic will improve in short order.

Rob Vaughn, Alabama

Last season, Brad Bohannon was embroiled in midseason gambling scandal and Bama rallied behind Jason Jackson, only for Greg Byrne to hire Vaughn from Maryland. Hiring Vaughn shows the growing trend of SEC seriousness. Even a program that hasn’t been to Omaha since 1999 bypassed an easy hire for a reach at glory. Vaughn is a 2-time Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Dave Van Horn, Arkansas

With Arkansas opening as the league favorite, the question is whether Van Horn, who has made 7 College World Series appearances, can finally nab his title. The 3-time SEC Coach of the Year has basically gained every other accolade. Will 2024 finally see him take home the title?