SEC Players on Current Major League Rosters (2014)

Who are they? SEC players who are currently on big league rosters. Many of these players I saw while in school. Here is a team by team breakdown then a school by school. The bulk of the list was created prior to the All-Star Game. There have been some modifications to the list from its creation until this list was posted

*Currently on the DL but otherwise would be on the active 25 man roster.

**Called up after the 2014 All-Star Game.

***Called up then sent back down between the All-Star Game and the publication of this article.

As you can see the list is broken down team by team. 

Baltimore Oriols (5)

Tommy Hunter - Alabama

Kevin Gausman - LSU

Darren 0'Day - Florida

Ryan Flaherty - Vanderbilt

Steven Pearce - South Carolina

Boston Red Sox (2)

David Ross - Auburn/Florida

Jackie Bradley Jr. - South Carolina

New York Yankees (2)

David Robertson - Alabama

Brian Roberts - South Carolina

Tampa Bay Rays (4)

David Price - Vanderbilt

Cole Figueroa - Florida

Logan Forsythe - Arkansas

**Curt Casali - Vanderbilt

Toronto Blue Jays (2)

R.A. Dickey - Tennessee

Steven Tolleson - South Carolina

Chicago White Sox (2)

 

Gordon Beckham - Georgia

**Taylor Thompson - Auburn

Cleveland Indians (0)

Detriot Tigers (3)

Max Scherzer - Missouri

Drew Smyly - Arkansas

Alex Avila - Alabama

***Drew VerHagen - Vanderbilt

Kansas CIty Royals (4)

Harold Coleman - LSU

Aaron Crow - Missouri

Scott Downs - Kentucky

*Luke Hochever - Tennessee

Minnesota Twins (1) 

Kyle Gibson - Missouri

Houston Astros (2)

Josh Fields - Georgia

Dallas Keucher - Arkansas

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (1)

Collin Cowgill - Kentucky

Oakland A's (3)

Sonney Gray - Vanderbilt

Josh Donaldson - Auburn

Craig Gentry - Arkansas

Seattle Mariners (3)

Charles Furbush - LSU

Mike Zunino - Florida

Justin Smoak - South Carolina

Texas Rangers (3)

Nicholas Tepesch - Missouri

*Mitch Moreland - Mississippi State

**J.P. Arencebia - Tennessee

Atlanta Braves (2)

Mike Minor - Vanderbilt

Alex Wood - Georgia

Miami Marlins (2)

Sammuel Dyson - South Carolina

**Anthony Desclfani - Florida

New York Mets (0)

Philadelphia Phillies (2)

*Cliff Lee - Arkansas

Jonathan Papelbon - Mississippi State

Washington Nationals (1)

Aaron Barrett - Ole Miss

Chicago Cubs (3)

Justin Grimm - Georgia

Chris Coghlan - Ole Miss

Justin Ruggiano - Texas A&M

Cincinnati Reds (1)

Zach Cozart - Ole Miss

Milwaulkee Brewers (1)

James Nelson - Alabama

Pittsburg Pirates (1)

Pedro Alverez - Vanderbilt

St. Louis Cardinals (3)

Lance Lynn - Ole Miss

Mark Ellis - Florida

Michael Wacha - Texas A&M

Arizona Diamondbacks (3)

Micael Bolsinger - Arkansas

Matthew Stites - Missouri

Aaron Hill - LSU

Los Angeles Dodgers (2)

Paul Maholm - Mississippi State

Brian Wilson - LSU

San Diego Padres (2)

Chase Headly - Tennessee

Seth Smith - Ole Miss

San Francisco Giants (1)

Tim Hudson - Auburn

There are 62 SEC players in the major leagues right now. There are 36 players in the American League and 26 in the National League. Here below is the breakdown of the schools.

Alabama - 4

Auburn - 4

Arkansas - 6

Florida - 5

Georgia - 4

Kentucky - 2

LSU - 5

Ole Miss - 5

Mississippi State - 3

Missouri - 5

South Carolina - 6

Tennessee - 4

Texas A&M - 2

Vanderbilt - 7

Vanderbilt leads the way with seven players. Most of them played together around 2007. You might have noticed 63 schools with only 62 people, David Ross transferred from Auburn to Florida and therefore is counted twice. 

My Sincere Apologies

For those of you unaware, my name is Toonz and this is the Loony Bin. I have been away for awhile and I assure you I won't leave for that long again. I came back at this particular time for a reason. One, it coincides with the MLB All-Star Break. Two, it coincides with the SEC Media Days. You may ask yourself, what does SEC football and the major leagues have to do with my return? Good question, I don't know, because I was going to talk SEC Baseball. Oh wait! I figured it out. SEC & MLB. As much as the SEC prides itself on its football prowess, many do not know of its dominance in many other sports. One of the many sports is baseball. Here in this blog, on my twitter account, and facebook, I will be bringing to you SEC Baseball.

2011 SEC Prediction

2010 brought us lots of surprises in the college football world, with Auburn going from an average team to a National Championship.  The rise of the Tigers came as everyone knows from the Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and Lombardi winner Nick Fairly.  After the departure of 18 starters from last years team, there is no complacency among the Tigers. 

Also, 2010 brought us newcomers such as South Carolina with freshman phenom Marcus Latimore.  Most people have South Carolina repeating as East Champs this year since they will be returning much of their core team from last year.  I believe they will make it to Atlanta again, but their record will not be improved.  I still don't have faith in Stephen Garcia.  I believe he will have some bonehead games where he puts the ball on the ground or throws it to the other team.  So all in all for South Carolina, they go to Atlanta but they will get beat by the west again.

Finally,  we were shocked that an Urben Myer Florida and yet again an over-hyped Georgia were unable to do anything in the east.  Georgia's fate was sealed when they had to sit A.J. Green for the first four games of the season.  Though they still put themselves in contention late in the season, the first four defined them.  Florida tried everything to stay on top in year one after Tebow but never could get a rhythem on offense to do so.  Expect a lot of growing pains this year with a new head coach and a new offensive system.  I think Florida will return in 2012.

Now, the time has come for my predictions on the year.  Surely you have heard everyone else say that Alabama, LSU or Arkansas will win the west and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida or Tennessee will win the east.  Well here is not only my preseason prediction but my explanation as well.

East
South Carolina- Though I don't put much stock in Stephen Garcia, I believe that his receiver Alshon Jefferys and running back Marcus Latimore will put him back in Atlanta.  However, South Carolina will lose four games this year all to the west including the SEC Championship game.  I expect to see them with a 9-4 record going into the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl.


Georgia- The first two games will determine Georgia's season.  First, they will  have to play Boise St., a team with one of the highest winning percentages the past few years.  Now, you may be saying that Boise can't compete with the SEC.  In a one game playoff anything can happen.  Georgia's second game will be against the reigning eastern division champions, South Carolina.  I believe Georgia passes the first test but gets beat week two and thus being the game that gives the east to South Carolina. Georgia will take an 8-4 record into the Gator Bowl.

Florida- I believe Florida to be mediocre again as they will experience growing pains in the first year of Coach Will Muschamp and Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weiss' first season.  The Gators will run into a tough stretch in October losing three consecutive games against Alabama, LSU and Auburn. They will lose two of the final three games to close out the season with a 7-5 record and a birth to the BBVA Bowl in Birmingham.  The only reason they would be in Florida for a bowl game is if they are invited to the Gator Bowl for reasons of fan base and sending UGA to Birmingham.

Tennessee- Tennessee is almost there.  They have a great young quarterback in Tyler Bray who could lead them to a championship in the coming seasons, but they are like everyone else a year away.
Tennessee will end the year having lost to Florida, South Carolina and Georgia en route to a 7-5 season and a birth in the Music city bowl.

Kentucky- After losing one of the most dynamic do-it-all players last year in Randall Cobb and star running back Derrick Locke, Kentucky will finish at an even .500 and heading to Memphis for the Liberty Bowl.

Vanderbilt- New head coach James Franklin is supposedly tearing up the recruiting trail.  This won't affect them this year.  They will finish last in the east and overall with a 3-9 record.

West
Alabama- I am a homer and still couldn't conjour up a way that Alabama would fall.  The only game that i have them losing is Auburn.  Part of this is my biased opinion.  The other part is the game will be at Auburn.  Now,Alabama will be fired up due to last years melt down.  The defense is returning a ton of starters that have a bad taste in their mouths.  Nick Saban has a bad taste in his mouth.  Auburn will be immensly better at the end of the season than the beginning and thus beating Alabama.  The Crimson Tied will go to the National Championship game in New Orleans with a 12-1 record and win.  SEC wins number 6 in a row

LSU- I have a flawed view of LSU making the National Championship run because the last two times the Championship game has been in their backyard, LSU has not only gone but won it.  Since I couldnt find a way to get LSU in, I have the second best thing, the Sugar Bowl.  I can't wrap my head around Jordan Jefferson having consistent success the entire season.  However, "The Mad Hatter" and co. will find a way to go 11-1 losing only to Alabama in Tuscaloosa en route to the Sugar Bowl.

Arkansas- Arkansas is everyone's dark horse with Tyler Wilson as the new quarterback and his performance against Auburn last year has helped vault the Razorbacks into  contention for the west and even a National Championship.  The rest of the major contributors of the Razorbacks will be returning like Greg Childs and Niles Davis.  Everybody believes this is Bobby Petrino's year and with all do respect to him and his success he still has never done it on this stage.  With losses on the road to LSU and Alabama, Arkansas will go 10-2 and accept a Cotton Bowl bid.

Auburn- Yes Auburn will be fourth in the west and with double digit wins.  Your eyes do not deceive you.  I am predicting a 10-2 record for the Tigers with losses at LSU and at Arkansas.  Auburn will have a whole new team from what we saw last year.  As long as they can get over MSU and Clemson early and start 4-0, I believe they will have a great season.  The tumultuous stretch in October is one to keep an eye on as well.  I have them going  3-2 in October and finish with wins over UGA and Alabama on their way to the Captial One Bowl.

Mississippi State- Dan Mullen has talent and depth in Starkville and they are ready to destroy hopes and dreams of other teams.  They are tired of being whipped around.  I have them going 7-5 but they could easily be a 9-3 or 10-2 team.  They have both Alabama and LSU at home and could easily beat Auburn on the road.  This is my dark horse in the west, not necessarily as a winner but as a team that could decide the west just by keeping certain teams from Atlanta.  State picks up an Outback Bowl birth this season.

Ole Miss- Like Vanderbilt, I don't see much potential in them this season.  They go 4-8 and go home early.

Tell me what you think.

Next Weekend Will Test Tigers

The 25th ranked Auburn Baseball Team finished a sweep at this year's College of Charleston Classic.  While doing so they took out the host team 18th ranked College of Charleston.  The Tigers were solid in their victory over the Cougars behind the great pitching of Derek Varnadore.  He worked six plus innings allowing four runs (three earned) and striking out five.  The offense came from Brooks Beisner and Zach Alford who combined had five hits and six rbi's.

Though the Tigers did well in a one game performance against a ranked opponent,  this weekend they will face the 7th ranked Arizona State Sun Devils in a three-game series.  Last year the Sun Devils swept the Tigers in Tempe en route to a College World Series appearance in Omaha.  If Auburn wants to validate itself and build confidence going into the SEC, they need to take two of three from ASU.

Taking the series from a top ten team will give the Tigers a confidence boost that will surely carry them through each week of the SEC schedule and into the tournament in Birmingham.  By being one of the top eight teams in the SEC, Auburn will make the NCAA field.  This is all they need to have a chance at a title. 

So come out to Plainsman Park where the crowd is sure to be rocking.

Sorry, I've been away. Let's Talk Baseball

I’m Back!!! Sorry for the haietus.  Now that the Auburn Tigers are National Champions in football, all the Bama fans are dismissing the title since it isn’t theirs.  However, we are not here to discuss the Bammers and their illogical nonsense of why they must hate us.  We are here to discuss the sport that is n-season, baseball.

The Auburn Tigers are coming off of their best season since 2003.  The Tigers’ big bats from last season (Hunter Morris, Trent Mummy and Brian Fletcher) have all moved on to the professional ranks.  The new team is not built on offense.  In fact, over 50% of the home runs hit by last year’s team came from the previously mentioned players. 

Auburn’s new Head Coach, John Pawlowski, is in his third year at Auburn, and he has turned the team around.  He has brought excitement on the plains.  Pawlowski was a pitcher in the White Sox organization and has now brought in his knowledge and background to change the paradigm.  For the past few years Auburn has been strictly a power team.  Pitching and defense were, a rarity, and now they have a new face.

The 25^th ranked Tigers will be back in Birmingham this year in the tournament and this time they may win it all.  The pitching is stronger and the hitting is coming around.  The Tigers had a taste of success last year and now they are hungry for more.

No More 3-2

 Dan Mullen and Gene Chizik are both in their second year as head coaches at  their respected schools. Both will have their early head coaching careers compared to one another as long as they stay where they are. There are several story lines to be dealt with before this game is to kick off.

First, the offense on both sides are EXPLOSIVE. In their first game, Auburn had 608 yards of offense with Cam Newton having 357 yards. Newtion is 2010's first SEC offensive player of the week leading the SEC in rushing (171) and total yards (357). Other leaders for Auburn were Michael Dyer with 95 yards rushing, Quendarious Carr 87 receiving yards and Fannin with 65.

Now, Mississippi State's offense has made leaps and bounds under Dan Mullen. Mississippi State had 569 yards of total offense against Memphis in game one of the 2010 season. MSU is looking to repeat its performance against a different tiger team, on that allowed 323 passing yards by a far less superior team. People outside the MSU fan base need to take them seriously. Though picked to finish 5th in the West, I expect Mississippi State may finish higher. There is no Mullen in Starkville. Like Saban, Dan Mullen will change everything about MSU Football and put them on the winning path.

Offense is in. Both teams did very well to stop the run but struggled against the pass. Although the Tigers had more trouble than the Bulldogs, there will not be a repeat of the last performance in Starkville. There will be no 3-2 game. I would be shocked if the combined total offense was less than 1,000 yards. The defense on both teams has to step up if either team wants to prove they can win the West.

While the MSU defense is on the field there will be a new element to the noise factor in Starkville this evening. Well maybe not new, just given a one year probationary period. The cowbells are back. However, the fans are not allowed to ring them during play. The Tigers will have to prepare for the noise since the officials did nothing about it during the Memphis game. It's ok. It's been done before.

Starkville, Thursday night will be crazy. The Dawgs know they have a chance and they smell blood. This is the State's "Super Bowl" and it's on national television. Not to mention every State fan feels Chizik bought Cam Newton. The whole saga with Newton's recruitment by Mullen for a second time (first at Florida) was highly publicized with everyone thinking he was a sure lock at State. He is even pictured on his trip to Starkville ringing a cowbell and later commented to players how they would be teammates in 2010. Obviously, they were very upset when out of nowhere he committed and signed with Auburn. During his recruitment at State, he was regarded as the savior of the program seeing how Bulldogs have not had a prolific quarterback in years. However, the combination of Chris Relf and Tyler Russell are very good. It would appear that even as MSU fans are unhappy with Newton's Benedict Arnold like actions, they have a star quarterback waiting in the wings.

Since the 2004 season the confidence in Auburn fans has risen. To others this overconfidence may sound like cockiness especially when their school hasn't had a lot to cheer for in football. However, with a new coach and confidence in a new offense, Wade Davis Stadium will be very hostile to all that enter. Mullen has done a very good job marketing this MSU program to gain everyone's excitement. Then not only did he get everyone pumped, but he delivered on the first game of the season. Do not take the Bulldogs lightly. They are poised to upset quite a few teams this year. The excitement is still there. The electricity is in the air. The cowbells will be ringing. It is Game Day in Starkville, Mississippi.

Ingram Out, Richardson In

From an opponent perspective I'd like to settle what I think about this recent talk of Alabama sophomore, Trent Richardson, being a better running back than reigning Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. Now, I understand Ingram's recent injury may not spark too much worry in the hearts of Bama fans in their week one battle against San Jose State because there's always Richardson, but to say he is better is a bit of a leap.

First of all, let's not underestimate the inner-workings of recently dubbed Alabama "legend" Nick Saban's mind. Coach Saban is no fool. He knows what's best for his team and that takes knowing who he has to work with. Looking back at last year's numbers, if Richardson were better than Ingram, then why didn't he get more carries?

Don't misread me. Richardson is an excellent running back, but Ingram poses more as a threat being able to run and take a hit, as well as being able to act as a receiver. Last year Ingram was able to rack up 32 receptions totaling up to 332 receiving to add to his impressive 1,658 rushing yards. Though Ingram has a little more experience coming into his junior year at Alabama, Richardson will be given his chance to stand out this year, but overall Ingram still has the better edge.

However, speaking on Ingram's latest injury, Alabama will have to take the field this Saturday without their star running back. I understand fans aren't so much bothered, but to dish responses on how Richardson is a better player or that losing Ingram won't matter is a little presumptuous. Who, in their right mind, can say losing the Heisman Trophy winner is nothing? Saban and his staff have done a brilliant job recruiting, but to have a returning Heisman winner go with an injury is still a big loss.

With that said, Alabama may not be worried about their opening game against San Jose State, however, let's talk about week two when Alabama faces Jo Pa's Penn State Nittany Lions. Last year this PSU rush defense allowed less than 100 yards per game with less than 3 yards per carry. Like most SEC teams, Alabama is a run first offense. They will need whatever they can get on offense in order to give their defense (their weakest link) any room to breathe. Although Richardson has proven his ability to perform, Alabama will need their stars. If I were an Alabama fan, which I'm glad I'm not, I would be hoping Ingram is back to true form when they host Penn State September 11th.