Feb. 14, 2011

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2011 college baseball season by sharing their insights on the teams and players to watch in their conferences. CBI compiled their answers to provide a sneak peek for the season ahead. click here for CBI Conference Previews

Today, we take a look at the Southeastern Conference (10 of 12 coaches responded).

The team to beat is: Florida

Rank the top three starting pitchers: *Sonny Gray, Vanderbilt; Alex Panteliodis, Florida; Brian Johnson, Florida

The top closer is: Matt Price, South Carolina (pictured right)

The pitcher you least want to face is: Sonny Gray, Vanderbilt

The most underrated pitcher is: Nathan Kilcrease, Alabama

The best defensive catcher is: Mike Zunino, Florida

The best catcher arm is: (tie) James McCann, Arkansas; and Mike Zunino, Florida

The best defensive infielder is: *Nolan Fontana, Florida

The best infield arm is: Jason Esposito, Vanderbilt

The best defensive outfielder is: Jackie Bradley, Jr., South Carolina

The best outfield arm is: Peter Verdin, Georgia

Rank the three best pure hitters: Taylor Dugas, Alabama (pictured right); Jackie Bradley, Jr., South Carolina; Preston Tucker, Florida

Rank the three biggest power threats: Austin Maddox, Florida; Aaron Westlake, Vanderbilt; Preston Tucker, Florida

The hitter you least want to face is: Austin Maddox, Florida

The toughest hitter to strike out is: Taylor Dugas, Alabama

The most underrated hitter is: Collin Kuhn, Arkansas

The best base-runner is: Taylor Dugas, Alabama

The best game coach is: Ray Tanner, South Carolina

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Todd Butler, Arkansas

*unanimous selection

(Price photo by Craig Jackson, Dugas photo by Jimmy Jones)