Georgia baseball 2025 season preview: 3 biggest games, key players, predictions and more
Georgia Baseball fared decently in the 2024 NCAA Baseball season. In their first season with new head coach Wes Johnson, they finished third in the SEC East with a 17-13 conference record, which earned them the No. 6 seed in the postseason.
The Bulldogs impressed in the Athens Regional, coasting through the tournament undefeated to win their first NCAA Regional since 2008. However, they fell just short of reaching the College World Series after an 8-5 loss to the NC State Wolfpack in the deciding game of the Athens Super Regional.
Johnson will be keen to build on his experience this year to grow the program in 2025. However, the loss of Dick Howser Trophy winner Charlie Condon to the Colorado Rockies in this year's MLB Draft could impact the team next year. Here, we preview the Bulldogs ahead of the 2025 NCAA Baseball season.
3 key games for Georgia Baseball in the 2025 season
3. Tennessee Volunteers
The Volunteers will come into 2025 as the reigning NCAA Tournament champions for the first time in program history. This will be a critical hurdle for the Bulldogs to overcome in 2025 to be considered as a frontrunner not only for the SEC regular season title, but also the College World Series.
Both teams lost big in this year's MLB Draft, but have been working hard in the off-season to strengthen their rosters for next year.
2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The clean, old-fashioned hate rivalry will never go out of style. While the Bulldogs have had the edge over the Yellow Jackets in recent years, they will need to stay at the top of their game to ensure they do not fall prey to their fierce rivals in 2025.
1. Florida Gators
The rivalry between the Gators and the Bulldogs continues to enthrall audiences across the country. It looks set to intensify even further given that the Gators are one of the Bulldogs' permanent opponents in the 2025 season.
Both teams have worked hard to improve their rosters in the off-season. With the Gators leading their head-to-head 195-116-2 and winning a three-game series in Athens during the regular season, the Bulldogs will hope to get revenge when they meet in 2025.
Key players for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2025
3. Alton Davis II, LHP
The Bulldogs made waves in the off-season by signing Davis from the transfer portal. In two seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Davis established himself as one of the top closers for the team.
The sophomore finished the 2024 season 4-2 while recording 38 strikeouts with an ERA of 5.61 in 33.2 innings pitched. He also recorded four saves and made the Stopper of the Year list this year. He will be a key part of Johnson's bullpen in 2025 and could prove to be one of their best additions for next year.
2. Slate Alford, INF
After two solid seasons with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Alford transferred to Georgia ahead of the 2024 season. While Condon made the headlines, Alford's performances at the plate did not go unnoticed.
He scored 17 home runs and 69 RBI with an average of .300 and was the only player along with Condon to start all 60 of the Bulldogs' games this year. In July, Alford announced his return to the Bulldogs for his senior season and could play a key role in their hitting line-up next year.
1. Kolby Branch, INF
Branch was one of the Bulldogs' standouts in his sophomore season this year. The shortstop scored 17 home runs and 58 RBI with an average of .267 in 59 starts for Georgia this year.
Like Alford, Branch also announced his return to the Bulldogs for 2025. Alongside the senior, Branch will need to be at the top of his game to ensure the loss of Condon can be mitigated in 2025.
Predicting Georgia Bulldogs' 2025 season
Condon's call-up to the MLB will have an impact on the Bulldogs' hitting line-up. However, their smart work in the off-season sees them strengthen some aspects of their roster, particularly the bullpen with the addition of pitchers like Davis II.
The Bulldogs look likely to produce a strong regular season despite the increased competition caused by the SEC expansion. They should make the postseason once again, but this time, they look strong enough to make the College World Series for the first time in 17 years.