College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (2024)

  • ESPN

Mar 4, 2024, 03:50 PM

The 2024 college baseball season has gotten off to an exciting start.

No. 1 Wake Forest has held strong minus one loss to open the year, and the usual SEC powerhouses -- six SEC teams are ranked in the top 10 -- are bringing their best early on. And between familiar faces at new places, such as Chase Burns at Wake Forest, and players who lit up last season doing the same thing this year, like Jac Caglianone at Florida, there has been star power across the board. Though we're still quite a ways from Omaha, we can't wait to see where this season will take us.

Here are the players we're watching early on, plus the current top 25 with a couple of weeks of the season already under our belts.

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (1)

Players to watch

Charlie Condon, 1B/OF, Georgia

If you're not paying attention to Condon this year, you're absolutely missing out. Through 11 games this season, he has hit eight home runs, including a terrific three-homer outing against Michigan State on Feb. 28. He has a total of 25 hits and 15 RBIs as well, and he looks quite unstoppable as he is starting to make some draft noise -- ESPN's Kiley McDaniel currently has Condon in his top 10. He's been a valuable part of UGA's defense this season, making play after play. Though Georgia isn't ranked right now, the Bulldogs boast a 10-1 record.

— Georgia Baseball (@BaseballUGA) February 24, 2024

Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida

Caglianone is just plain out of this world. Dominant on both sides of the ball, Caglianone has improved his game even more from last season. This past weekend, he recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts against Miami, and of course, hit a home run in the same game, too. He has four total home runs this season and 22 hits to go along with 13 RBIs. Florida is ranked No. 4, and as Caglianone continues to dominate, the school should be competitive throughout the regular season and beyond.

FIRE US UP, 1️⃣4️⃣#GoGators // 📺 https://t.co/98eJMkRYDC pic.twitter.com/1BfwmIoO4a

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) March 3, 2024

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (2)

Current top 25 rankings

Here is the D1baseball.com poll as of March 4, plus information for each team's next couple of games.

All times Eastern

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (3) 1. Wake Forest

Record: 10-1
Next two games: vs. Georgetown on Tuesday at 4 p.m. on ACCNX,
vs. Duke on Friday at 6 p.m. on ACCNX

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (4) 2. Arkansas

Record: 9-2
Next two games: vs. UCA on Tuesday at 4 p.m. on SEC Network+,
vs. McNeese State on Friday at 4 p.m. on SEC Network+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (5)3. LSU

Record: 11-1
Next two games: at Southern Louisiana on Wednesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+,
vs. Xavier on Friday at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (6) 4. Florida

Record: 8-3
Next two games: vs. Florida Atlantic on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on SEC Network+,
vs. UCF on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on SEC Network+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (7) 5. TCU

Record: 12-0
Next two games: vs. Abilene Christian on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+,
at Kansas on Friday at 7 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (8) 6. Oregon State

Record: 11-1
Next two games: vs. CSUN on Thursday at 8:45 p.m.,
vs. CSUN on Friday at 7:05 p.m.

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (9) 7. Texas A&M

Record: 11-0
Next two games: at Texas on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. on Longhorn Network,
vs. Texas Southern on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (10) 8. Tennessee

Record: 11-1
Next two games: vs. Kansas State on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on SEC Network+,
vs. Southern Indiana on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on SEC Network+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (11) 9. Vanderbilt

Record: 10-3
Next two games: vs. Eastern Michigan on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. on SEC Network+,
vs. Illinois State on Friday at 5:30 p.m. on SEC Network+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (12) 10. Clemson

Record: 9-1
Next two games: vs. Kansas State on Wednesday at 4 p.m. on ACCNX,
vs. UNC Greensboro on Friday at 4 p.m. on ACCNX

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (13) 11. East Carolina

Record: 7-4
Next two games: vs. VCU on Tuesday at 4 p.m. on AAC on ESPN+,
vs. VSU on Wednesday at 4 p.m. on AAC on ESPN+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (14) 12. Duke

Record: 10-1
Next two games: vs. App State on Tuesday at 4 p.m. on ACCNX,
vs. Georgetown on Wednesday at 4 p.m. on ACCNX

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (15) 13. Virginia

Record: 10-1
Next two games: vs. Penn State on Tuesday at 1 p.m. on ACCNX,
vs. George Washington on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (16) 13. NC State

Record: 9-2
Next two games: vs. Winthrop on Tuesday at 3 p.m. on ACCNX,
vs. Boston College on Friday at 3 p.m. on ACCNX

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (17) 15. Alabama

Record: 11-1
Next two games: vs. Jacksonville State on Tuesday at 5 p.m. on SEC Network+,
vs. Troy on Wednesday at 5 p.m. on SEC Network+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (18) 16. North Carolina

Record: 10-2
Next two games: at Campbell on Tuesday at 6 p.m.,
vs. Pitt on Friday at 4 p.m. on ACCNX

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (19) 17. Texas Tech

Record: 9-2
Next two games: at New Mexico on Tuesday at 4 p.m.,
vs. Texas on Friday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (20) 18. Coastal Carolina

Record: 9-2
Next two games: vs. USC Upstate on Tuesday at 4 p.m. on ESPN+,
vs. USC Upstate on Wednesday at 4 p.m. on ESPN+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (21)

19. Auburn

Record: 9-2
Next two games: vs. Air Force on Tuesday TBA on SEC Network+,
vs. Air Force on Wednesday TBA on SEC Network+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (22)

20. Dallas Baptist

Record: 10-1
Next two games: at Baylor on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+,
vs. San Diego on Friday at 7:35 p.m. on ESPN+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (23) 21. South Carolina

Record: 8-3
Next two games: vs. The Citadel on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+,
vs. Davidson on Wednesday at 3 p.m. on SEC Network+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (24)

22. Campbell

Record: 8-3
Next two games: vs. North Carolina on Tuesday at 6 p.m.,
vs. Bucknell on Friday at 6 p.m.

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (25)

23. UC Irvine

Record: 9-0
Next two games: vs. California Baptist on Tuesday at 9 p.m. on ESPN+,
at Fresno State on Thursday at 9:05 p.m.

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (26) 24. Texas

Record: 7-4
Next two games: vs. Texas A&M on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. on Longhorn Network,
at Texas Tech on Friday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (27) 25. UC Santa Barbara

Record: 5-5
Next two games: vs. Villanova on Tuesday at 8:05 p.m.,
vs. UConn on Friday at 7:05 p.m. on ESPN+

College baseball top 25 rankings, plus players to watch (2024)

FAQs

Who is the #1 college baseball team in the nation? ›

Tennessee

Is Clemson ranked in baseball? ›

11. Clemson. Clemson had one of the most exciting postseasons of any team in the country.

What award do you get for best college baseball player? ›

The Dick Howser Trophy is bestowed annually to the national college baseball player of the year. The award is named after former collegiate and Major League Baseball (MLB) player and manager Dick Howser, who died as the result of brain cancer on June 17, 1987, at the age of 51.

How many games are in a college baseball season? ›

From start to finish, the Division I baseball season means 132 days together for the players and coaches, and teams may play in more than 50 games (56 is the maximum number of contests before the postseason).

Who leads the SEC in home runs? ›

Leaders Summary
Team Battingghr
Texas A&M68136
Vanderbilt6172
LSU66114
Kentucky6289
11 more rows

Who won the 2024 College World Series? ›

Tennessee

What is the best college baseball team? ›

Baseball
RankPreviousSchool
RankPreviousSchool
11Tennessee
22Texas A&M
33Kentucky
45 more rows
Jun 24, 2024

Why doesn't Syracuse have a baseball team? ›

Title IX. This is the main reason the baseball team was discontinued in 1972 following the law's passing. Baseball in Syracuse was an unfortunate casualty of a necessary and good law, and turned in to an afterthought due to an inability to train in the cold Syracuse off-season.

What does rpi mean in baseball? ›

In the complex world of college athletics, the Rating Percentage Index (RPI) assumes a pivotal role in measuring a team's overall performance. Widely used across various college sports, the RPI measures a team's strength of schedule and its ability to secure victories against different levels of competition.

What do college scouts look for in baseball players? ›

They are looking for guys who know how to play the game of baseball at a high level and have speed on the bases and in the field, power at the plate or on the mound, efficient, fluid movements in the field, good hand-eye coordination, agility, balance, coordination, and body control.

What is the highest level of college baseball? ›

Division 1 baseball teams: The highest level of college baseball. “D1 or bust” Is often the attitude of many aspiring college baseball players. When it comes to NCAA baseball, Division 1 colleges are generally considered to be the elite programs known for their competitiveness and media exposure.

Which pitcher gets the win in college baseball? ›

Note: The pitcher of record shall be the one who is in the game at the time the winning team gains the lead, provided that the lead never is relinquished, or the one who is charged with the runs by which the opposing team takes the lead, provided that the lead never is relinquished. e.

Is there a college baseball mercy rule? ›

Each conference has its own rules, but according to Section 79 of the 2023-2024 NCAA Baseball Rules Book, there is no set NCAA run rule to end a game early. "SECTION 79.

How many years can you play college baseball? ›

The NCAA's five-year rule stipulates that a student-athlete cannot compete in any one D1 college sport for more than four seasons. These four seasons must fall within a period of five calendar years.

How many pitches are allowed in college baseball? ›

If a pitcher throws 76-110 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. There is a Maximum of 110 pitches per game or in any one day; If a pitcher reaches the 110 pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until one of the following occurs.

How many Division 1 colleges are there in the nation? ›

NCAA Division 1 (D1) schools are the best colleges for sports. Today, there are 363 D1 schools across 49 states in the U.S. These schools have more student-athletes and bigger athletic budgets than D2 and D3 colleges. They also offer some of the best scholarships for your student-athlete.

How many Division 1 baseball teams are there in the country? ›

How many Division 1 baseball schools are there? Currently, there are 300 Division 1 baseball programs across the country.

What college football team is number 1 in the nation? ›

Michigan

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5739

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Birthday: 1996-05-10

Address: Apt. 425 4346 Santiago Islands, Shariside, AK 38830-1874

Phone: +96313309894162

Job: Legacy Sales Designer

Hobby: Baseball, Wood carving, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Lacemaking, Parkour, Drawing

Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.