Top 10 seeds in 2024 College Baseball NCAA Tournament ft. Arkansas at No. 5
College baseball's NCAA Tournament is coming. Selection Monday has passed and the fields are set for Friday's regional play matchups. The all-important top 8 spots are much coveted, as they would set up a regional winner for a super regional hosting appearance.
Here's the rundown on the top 10 from the NCAA Tournament seeding process.
Top 10 seeds in 2024 College Baseball NCAA Tournament
10. NC State
The Wolfpack had a five-game losing streak in early April, but have played well since. They were 5-1 in their last six games. The Wolfpack drew South Carolina, James Madison and Bryant in their region.
NC State's 6.30 ERA is something of a red flag heading into regional play. Usually, college baseball's short series matchups favor stronger pitching staffs.
9. Oklahoma
With a loss to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 finals, OU fell off the list of top 8 teams with a potential super-regional hosting spot on the line. The Sooners were 11-2 in May and could be dangerous down the line.
Oklahoma's region includes Duke, UConn and Oral Roberts. Oklahoma is hitting .313 as a team and has 91 stolen bases. They don't have a ton of power or pitching, but they're a tough college baseball team.
8. Florida State
The 42-15 Seminoles lost the ACC title game to Duke but still managed to grab the last top 8 seed. Florida State's regional pool includes Alabama, Central Florida and Stetson.
The Seminoles are a potent offense. Florida State is hitting .316 and has four sluggers with 14 or more homers. Meanwhile, pitching ace Jamie Arnold (10-3, 2.45 ERA) will be a big part of FSU's College World Series hopes.
7. Georgia
The 39-15 Bulldogs parlayed an uneven start into an impressive late-season run and the No. 7 overall seed. Georgia went 17-13 in SEC play but still nabbed one of the coveted top eight seeding spots.
The Bulldogs will face a field of UNC-Wilmington, in-state rival Georgia Tech and Army. Georgia boasts the nation's best hitter in Charlie Condon (.443, 35 home runs). Four other Bulldogs have a dozen or more homers, but the team's 5.65 ERA is a mild concern.
6. Clemson
The 41-14 Tigers fell out of the ACC Tournament in pool play but still stayed as a No. 6 seed. Clemson's regional field includes Vanderbilt, Coastal Carolina and High Point.
Slugger Blake Wright (.341, 21 home runs, 70 RBIs) is the biggest offensive star and pitching ace Aidan Knaak (5-1, 2.96 ERA) will anchor the Tigers' pitching hopes.
5. Arkansas
Arkansas is just 3-7 in the team's last ten games, but the Razorback rode an impressive early start to the No. 5 seed. The Hogs are 43-14 on the year and won the SEC's Western division.
Arkansas's regional field is Louisiana Tech, Kansas State and SE Missouri State. Arkansas is hitting just .268 as a team, but starter Hagen Smith (9-1, 1.48, 154 strikeouts in 79 innings) is the best pitcher in the sport. Starter Brady Tygart (4-3, 3.94) and reliever Gabe Gaeckle (3-3, 2.27, 7 saves, 51 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings) are also strong.
4. North Carolina
The top non-SEC team in the field, UNC coming into post-season play on an uptick. Their regional field includes LSU, Wofford and LIU. LSU is certainly a dangerous opponent coming off a week where they missed the SEC title by a single run.
Vance Honeycutt (.319, 22 homers, 28 steals) and Parks Harber (.351, 20 homers) are perhaps the best 1-2 hitting punch in college baseball. Carolina's pitching staff has a 4.19 team ERA, which demonstrates the capability to make a deep June run.
3. Texas A&M
The Aggies were 5-7 in their final dozen games, but are 44-13 overall. A&M is one of the most balanced teams in the field. Three Aggies have 21 or more home runs, with outfielder Jace Laviolette the team leader with 28 bombs.
A&M gets a draw with in-state rival Texas as well as Louisiana and Grambling State. Ace Ryan Prager (8-1, 2.51) and closer Evan Aschenbeck (5-1, 1.78, 7 saves) are both excellent. The Aggies are a well-put-together college baseball team.
2. Kentucky
The Wildcats tied for the SEC's best record and rode a solid all-around team into the postseason. Kentucky is 1-3 in their last four games, but have otherwise had a strong and consistent college baseball season.
Star power isn't the UK's strength. Outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt (.357, 13 homers) is the top bat and starter Trey Pooser (5-1, 4.02) are two key plays for the UK. Kentucky did draw a tough 2 seed in Indiana State along with Illinois and Western Michigan.
1. Tennessee
The nation's top college baseball team and the SEC champion drew the top seed. At 50-11, Tennessee has lost back-to-back games just once all year-- in March at Alabama. The Vols hit well (.311 team average) and pitch well (3.83 ERA). Their lack of strong postseason history is their only issue.
Tennessee's region includes Southern Miss, Indiana and Northern Kentucky. Star Christian Moore (.382, 28 homers) remains UT's big dog. Pitching ace Drew Beam (8-2, 3.92) has been steady.
Which college baseball top seeds are you looking forward to seeing? Let us hear your thoughts below in our comments section!