Preaseason Power Rankings (2024)

Yes, it's already been eight months. Pinch yourself, college baseball fans, the first pitches of the 2015 season are soon to be thrown. We're about to embark on our road to Omaha, which will be as hard-fought as ever. To get you ready, here is a look at the first Top 20 Power Rankings of the season. We'll be here every week to update who is playing the best baseball and who is dropping off the radar.

Let's play ball.

1. Vanderbilt (51-21, 17-13 SEC)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 1

Starters Returning: 8
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 2

Of Note: Carson Fulmer, Walker Buehler and Tyler Ferguson form the best rotation in the country and top hitters like Bryan Reynolds, Dansby Swanson and Rhett Wiseman lead an offense with dangerous potential. What's not to like?

2. TCU (48-18, 17-7 Big 12)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 3

Starters Returning: 4
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 0
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 5

Of Note: It's time to hop on the Frog train, people. They'll get back Golden Spikes candidates RHP Preston Morrison and RHP Riley Ferrell. The infield is strong with Keaton Jones and Derek Odell, plus super-frosh catcher Evan Skoug.

3. Virginia (53-16, 22-8 ACC)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 2

Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 3

Of Note: This is one big, motivated team. The Cavaliers are still pitching-heavy, especially with Nathan Kirby and Brandon Waddell in the rotation. They'll also have solid gloves and team leaders in 3B Kenny Towns and SS Daniel Pinero.

4. Oklahoma State (48-18, 18-6 Big 12)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: T-7

Starters Returning: 5
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 3

Of Note: You'll soon see why Pistol Pete is smiling. The Cowboys have a loaded staff and are a team on the rise. A lot of talented pitchers need to reach potential, like Garrett Williams and Tyler Nurdin, who will back aces Jon Perrin and Tyler Buffett.

5. North Carolina (35-27, 15-15 ACC)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 15

Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 5

Of Note: From 59 wins in 2013 down to 35 wins last year. But cry no tears because the rebuilding is over and the Heels are ready to get back to their old winning ways. Pitchers Trent Thornton and Benton Moss will be All-ACC types.

6.South Carolina (44-18, 18-12 SEC)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 10

Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 0
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 6

Of Note: Lots of familiar names have moved on, but coach Chad Holbrook has a good talent pool to dip into, starting with pitchers Wil Crowe and Jack Wynkoop. First baseman Kyle Martin returned for his senior year and will bolster the batting order.

7. UCLA (25-30, 12-18 Pac-12)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 9

Starters Returning: 5
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 3

Of Note: Rollercoasters always rise again. Look for an ascending season from the Bruins, who feature a great rotation, led by ace James Kaprielian and closer extraordinaire David Berg. The infield is A-plus with the return of 3B Kevin Kramer.

8. Arizona State (33-24, 19-11 Pac-12)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 21

Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 5

Of Note: Like Moses leading them out of the desert, Indiana maestro Tracy Smith will have ASU back again. Pitchers Brett Lilek, Ryan Kellogg and reliever Ryan Burr give "Skip" a trident of potential All-Americans. A new stadium doesn't hurt, either.

9. Florida (40-23, 21-9 SEC)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 5

Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 5

Of Note: All that feisty Gator youth of a year ago has now grown up. Six of the 10 returning pitchers are sophom*ores, led by A.J. Puk, the SEC Freshman of the Year. CF Harrison Bader and SS Richie Martin provide ample speed and great gloves.

10. Louisville (50-17, 19-5 AAC)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: T-7

Starters Returning: 5
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 2

Of Note: The Cardinals make a serious move to the ACC. But they'll be able to adapt with the help of big time guns like Kyle Funkhouser and Anthony Kinston on the bump. Zach Lucas and Sutton Whiting make a stout double play combo.

11. Houston (48-18, 14-9 AAC)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 11

Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 0
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 3

Of Note: Year five for Todd Whitting could have the best team of his tenure. Pitchers Aaron Garza and Jake Lemoine are one of the best one-two pitching combos in the country. Keep an eye on leadoff hitter Kyle Survance (31 SBs), who is a dynamo.

12. Texas Tech (45-21, 14-10 Big 12)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 13

Starters Returning: 5
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 5

Of Note: A breakthrough season for the Red Raiders should carry over into 2015. Tim Proudfoot and Bryant Burleson are the best middle infield combo in the country, and 1B Eric Gutierrez is a home run threat to pace the offense.

13. LSU (46-16-1, 17-11-1 SEC)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: NR

Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 1
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 4

Of Note: The Bayou Bengals are a wild-card pick here. They will rely heavily on the No. 1 ranked recruiting class, including having RHP Alex Lange and LHP Jake Latz in their weekend rotation. At least SS Alex Bregman is still around to be a leader.

14. Rice (42-20, 23-7 Conference USA)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 17

Starters Returning: 5
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 5

Of Note: Pitching heavy, the Owls will lean on LHPs Blake Fox (18-0 career record) and Kevin McCanna to get certain wins. All-CUSA RHP Jordan Stephens returns after sitting out 2014. On the downside, four of the top five hitters have moved on.

15. Nebraska (41-21, 18-6 Big Ten)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: NR

Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 0
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 5

Of Note: This is it Big Red fans. Darin Erstad has his most experienced team yet and should crack the 40-win mark again. He has legit All-American candidates in RHP Chance Sinclair, relief ace Josh Roeder and leadoff man Ryan Boldt.

16. Stanford (35-26, 16-14 Pac-12)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 22

Starters Returning: 3
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 3

Of Note: Coach Mark Marquess loves having a deep pitching staff and an All-American ace. Sophom*ore RHP Cal Quantrill looks like the next great Cardinal stud. OF Zach Hoffpauir hit .324 and started at safety on the Cardinal football team.

17. Mississippi State (39-24, 18-12 SEC)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 25

Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 4

Of Note: Relievers Ross Mitchell and Trevor Fitts are bullpen standouts who could start, as well. CWS vets Wes Rea and Jake Vickerson are still around to provide leadership. John Holland, a Florida State transfer, will be an infield whiz.

18. Loyola Marymount (32-24, 17-10 WCC)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: NR

Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 4

Of Note: Mid-major mite! The Lions are a dark horse Omaha team, having a rotation that could make a Pac-12 coach jealous in Colin Welmon, Tylor Megill and Trevor Megill. Frosh All-Americans Austin Miller and David Fletcher are the top two hitters.

19. Ole Miss (48-21, 19-11 SEC)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 18

Starters Returning: 3
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 0
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 3

Of Note: There are some losses from the CWS team, but the Rebels still have Christian Trent and Sam Smith in the rotation and lumberjacking Sikes Orvis (14 HRs) to reload the offense. Incoming 2B Tate Blackman is a difference-maker.

20. Cal State Fullerton (32-24, 14-10 Big West)

USA Today Coaches' Poll rank: 19

Starters Returning: 1
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 0
Key Relievers (15-plus inns.): 4

Of Note: The success of the Titans hinges on whether the arms of Thomas Eshelman, Justin Garza, Tyler Peitzmeier, and Willie Kuhl stay healthy and pitch to potential. Look for lots of new faces from the 10th-ranked recruiting class.

Five on deck: Florida State (43-17, 20-12 ACC), Oregon State (45-14, 23-7 Pac-12), Texas (46-21, 13-11 Big 12), Maryland (40-23, 15-14 ACC), UC Santa Barbara (34-17-1, 12-12)

Eric Sorenson is creator and curator of CollegeBaseballToday.com.