Alabama Baseball Ranked Top 25 in Preseason Polls

It is that time of year again folks. We are less than 25 days away from Alabama baseball and the team is ranked 25^th in Baseball America’s preseason poll. This is the Tide’s first appearance on Baseball America’s preseason poll since 2014. Before COVID-19 put an end to last year’s season, the Tide went 16-1, which is the best winning percentage in Alabama history.

The team opens their 2021 season with a home series against McNeese State. Alabama’s SEC play will begin March 19^thagainst No. 14 Arkansas at Arkansas. Other notable in conference games for the Tide include No. 4 Ole Miss, No. 19 Tennessee, No. 6 ranked Vanderbilt, No. 10 LSU and No. 8 Mississippi State to close out the regular season. As you can see, the SEC is stacked, as the conference so often is.

The 2021 team will include 21 returning players as well as 13 new, fresh faces. Keep an eye on returning starting pitcher Connor Prielipp. He was named First Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball News late last year. Prielipp had a perfect 0.00 ERA in 21 innings pitched and allowed the fewest hits in SEC play.

Another prominent returner is outfielder Owen Diodati. During last year’s short-lived season, Diodati accounted for 22 RBI’s and five homeruns, two of which were in his first game. He was also named Freshmen All-American by Collegiate Baseball News.

There are high hopes for the Tide this season even with their extremely competitive schedule. Given how the team left off last season, Alabama baseball should expect to play in Hoover for the SEC Tournament and make a run at Regionals.

There is still no official word from UA in regards to ticket information or capacities for baseball games in Sewell-Thomas Stadium.