Baseball America releases Preseason Field of 64 predictions

Jonathan Wagner

This week is the last without college baseball, as the 2024 regular season gets underway next Friday, February 16. With the season essentially here, Baseball America has released preseason Field of 64 predictions, providing a glimpse into the way-too-early NCAA Tournament picture.

Just like last season, the SEC looks to be both strong at the top and deep from top-to-bottom. The league has ten teams in Baseball America’s Field of 64, with seven of those hosting. The ACC is just behind with nine bids, and also has the second most hosts with three.

In addition to the SEC and ACC, the Big 12 is the only other conference with multiple hosts (2). The American, Big Ten, Pac-12, and Sun Belt also have one each.

*denotes automatic qualifier

Winston-Salem Regional

Jun 17, 2023; Omaha, NE, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons first baseman Nick Kurtz (8) celebrates after retiring Stanford Cardinal third baseman Tommy Troy (not pictured) to end the game at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

1. (No. 1 overall) Wake Forest*
2. Alabama
3. Grand Canyon*
4. Wagner*

Baseball America has Wake Forest repeating as the No. 1 overall seed in their preseason Field of 64 projections, and for good reason. The Demon Deacons return a ton of talent and added even more through the transfer portal, and are understandably one of the nation’s favorites to make it to Omaha. Joining Wake Forest is Alabama, WAC champion Grand Canyon, and Northeast champion Wagner. This Regional is paired with the Iowa City Regional.

Baton Rouge Regional

Jun 24, 2023; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers third baseman Tommy White (47) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Florida Gators during the eighth inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

1. (No. 2) LSU*
2. UConn
3. Louisiana-Lafayette
4. Southern*

LSU comes into the season as defending national champions, and the Tigers are hoping to break the recent trend for reigning champs. Both Mississippi State and Ole Miss missed the tournament the year following their national championships in the past two seasons. LSU is joined by UConn, Louisiana-Lafayette, and SWAC champion Southern. This regional is paired with the Conway Regional.

Fayetteville Regional

Jun 22, 2022; Omaha, NE, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks starting pitcher Hagen Smith (33) pitches against the Ole Miss Rebels during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

1. (No. 3) Arkansas
2. Oklahoma State
3. Louisiana Tech
4. Arkansas-Little Rock*

Arkansas gives the SEC two out of the top three overall seeds in Baseball America’s Field of 64. Adding Mason Molina to the rotation along with potentially half of the lineup coming through the portal, Arkansas is restocked and ready to contend in 2024. Joining the Razorbacks in the Fayetteville is Oklahoma State, Louisiana Tech, and Ohio Valley champion Little Rock. This regional is paired with the Columbia Regional.

Gainesville Regional

Jun 25, 2023; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators first baseman Jac Caglianone (14) celebrates hitting a home run against the LSU Tigers in the eighth inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

1. (No. 4) Florida
2. Troy
3. Florida State
4. Mercer*

Last year’s national runner-up, Florida is hungry to make it back to the final game of the season in 2024. The Gators are certainly capable of doing so, with a loaded roster that is led by two-way star Jac Caglianone. The Gators are joined by Troy, Florida State, and Southern champion Mercer in this regional, which is paired with the Greenville Regional.

Corvallis Regional

Jun 12, 2022; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers infielder Travis Bazzana (37) steps on the plate after hitting a solo-home run against the Auburn Tigers in the 4th inning during Game 2 of a NCAA Super Regional game at Coleman Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

1. (No. 5) Oregon State*
2. UC Irvine*
3. Santa Clara*
4. Maine*

Oregon State is the only west coast team projected to host a regional, as the Pac-12 favorites could be poised for a run to the College World Series in Omaha this season. The Beavers are joined by a pair of west coast teams in Big West champion UC Irvine and WCC champion Santa Clara, in addition to America East champion Maine. The Corvallis Regional is paired with the Austin Regional.

Fort Worth Regional

Jun 16, 2023; Omaha, NE, USA; TCU Horned Frogs catcher Karson Bowen (14) celebrates after hitting a double against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles during the sixth inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

1. (No. 6) TCU*
2. Dallas Baptist*
3. Miami
4. Air Force*

TCU got hot at the perfect time last season, as the Horned Frogs made a run all the way to Omaha before falling in the opening round. Now, expectations remain high for the Horned Frogs. Projected as the No. 6 overall seed in Baseball America’s Field of 64, TCU is also predicted to win the Big 12. The Horned Frogs drew Conference USA champion Dallas Baptist and Mountain West champion Air Force, in addition to Miami. The Fort Worth Regional is paired with the College Station Regional.

Nashville Regional

Vanderbilt batter Chris Maldonado points to the dugout after singling home a run against Florida Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the Hoover Met in the semifinal round. © Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. (No. 7) Vanderbilt
2. Northeastern*
3. Louisville
4. Fairfield*

Despite being the fourth highest-ranked team from the SEC in Baseball America’s projections, Vanderbilt is still highly regarded as a projected top eight national seed. The Commodores are joined in the Nashville Regional by CAA champion Northeastern, MAAC champion Fairfield, and Louisville. This regional is paired with the Charlottesville Regional.

Clemson Regional

Clemson sophomore Will Taylor (16) gets a hit during a game against Georgia at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 18, 2023. © MCKENZIE LANGE/ Staff / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. (No. 8) Clemson
2. Auburn
3. Charlotte
4. Penn*

Despite losing some key pieces in the offseason, Clemson still comes into 2024 with lofty expectations. As a projected national seed, not much drop-off is expected for the Tigers. Paired with the Knoxville Regional, Clemson is joined in their own regional with Auburn, Charlotte, and Ivy League champion Penn.

Knoxville Regional

Tennessee’s Drew Beam (32) celebrates after striking out Vanderbilt’s Chris Maldonado (8) during an NCAA baseball game in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sunday, April 23, 2023. © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. (No. 9) Tennessee
2. Indiana
3. Indiana State*
4. Wright State*

Tennessee lost Chase Burns to the transfer portal in the offseason, but the Vols are still in a great position to make a run. Tony Vitello’s squad made it to Omaha last season, and that is the expectation again in 2024. The Knoxville Regional also includes Indiana, MVC champion and 2023 host Indiana State, and Horizon champion Wright State.

Charlottesville Regional

Jun 16, 2023; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers shortstop Griff O’Ferrall (6) scores a run against the Florida Gators during the seventh inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

1. (No. 10) Virginia
2. West Virginia
3. Southern Miss
4. Army*

Virginia enjoyed great success through regionals and super regionals in Charlottesville last season, before falling in the CWS. Even after losing some notable pieces, including Jake Gelof and Kyle Teel, Virginia is in position to enjoy the beginning parts of the postseason at home yet again. Joining them in the projected Charlottesville Regional are West Virginia, Southern Miss, and Patriot League champion Army, who is here for the second straight year.

College Station Regional

Jun 19, 2022; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jim Schlossnagle watches late game action against the Texas Longhorns at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

1. (No. 11) Texas A&M
2. Texas Tech
3. Oregon
4. Kent State*

Texas A&M wasn’t quite able to live up to their top five preseason ranking in 2023, but the Aggies have reloaded through the portal and are again right at the top heading into 2024. The Aggies host Texas Tech, Oregon, and MAC champion Kent State in College Station in Baseball America’s Field of 64 predictions.

Austin Regional

Jun 19, 2022; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach David Pierce (22) leaves the field after addressing the team after the loss against the Texas A&M Aggies at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

1. (No. 12) Texas
2. UCLA
3. UC Santa Barbara
4. Nicholls State*

Texas fell just one play short of Omaha last season, falling in the Stanford Super Regional. Now, Texas is hoping to get right back this season. The Longhorns are one of two Big 12 teams hosting in the projected field, and they are joined in Austin by UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, and Southland champion Nicholls State.

Greenville Regional

East Carolina University takes on Campbell University baseball on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Segra Stadium. © Andrew Craft / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. (No. 13) East Carolina*
2. NC State
3. Kentucky
4. George Mason*

Last year snapped a four-season streak of hosting a regional for ECU, but the Pirates were a two-seed in Charlottesville. With a strong 1-2 punch at the top of the pitching rotation, ECU could be poised for another regional at home in 2024. Also coming to Greenville in Baseball America’s Field of 64 is NC State, Kentucky, and A10 champion George Mason.

Columbia Regional

South Carolina batter Ethan Petry is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run against LSU during the second round of the SEC Baseball Tournament at the Hoover Met Wednesday, May 24, 2023. © Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. (No. 14) South Carolina
2. North Carolina
3. USC
4. USC-Upstate*

South Carolina’s lineup is filled with power, led by Ethan Petry and Cole Messina. The Gamecocks were one of college baseball’s best teams for much of last season, ultimately hosting as the No. 15 seed. Similar expectations surround South Carolina heading into this season. Joining them in Columbia is North Carolina, USC, and Big South champion USC Upstate.

Conway Regional

Jun 19, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers head coach Gary Gilmore (14) discusses a call against the Florida Gators in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

1. (No. 15) Coastal Carolina*
2. Duke
3. UNC Wilmington
4. Kennesaw State*

Coastal Carolina was a top ten overall seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament, and the Chanticleers are expected to be of similar stature in 2024. They are joined by UNC Wilmington in the Conway Regional for the second straight season, in addition to Duke and ASUN champion Kennesaw State.

Iowa City Regional

Iowa’s Brody Brecht delivers a pitch during a NCAA Big Ten Conference baseball game against Ohio State, Friday, May 5, 2023, at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa. © Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. (No. 16) Iowa*
2. Stanford
3. Kansas State
4. Oral Roberts*

Iowa rounds out the 16 hosts in Baseball America’s Field of 64, and for good reason. The Hawkeyes have one of college baseball’s best pitchers in Brody Brecht, and he should be a leading force in a strong year for his team. Also in the Iowa City Regional is Stanford, Kansas State, and Summit League champion (and 2023 Omaha cinderella) Oral Roberts.

While it’s way too early to debate who could be on the NCAA Tournament bubble, Baseball America’s projected last four in and first four out include some interesting teams. Louisiana Tech, Florida State, Charlotte and Louisiana Lafayette are the last four in. Arizona State, Ole Miss, Maryland and Campbell are the first four out, with Texas State, Georgia Tech, Missouri State and Liberty as the next four teams out.