Alabama baseball begins its quest for consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances with a retooled roster looking to build off of last year's postseason berth.
Alabama coach Brad Bohannon enters his fifth season. He was able to get the program back to the national championship event for the first time since 2014.
While the Alabama roster features newcomers across the field, the Crimson Tide has six returning starters – including shortstop Jim Jarvis, designated hitter Owen Diodati, first baseman Drew Williamson and third baseman Zane Denton – to give the squad some carryover.
The recruiting class for Alabama was ranked No. 11 by perfectgame.com and No. 8 by Baseball America. It was the second consecutive top-20 recruiting class for Bohannon.
The class consists of players such as outfielder Camden Hayslip, the No. 2-ranked prospect from Tennessee, left-handed pitcher Brandon Clarke and right-handed pitcher Ben Hess. In total, Alabama welcomes 22 new faces, with 12 freshmen and 10 transfers.
Two transfers will be battling for the starting catcher position after the departure of first-team All-SEC selection Sam Praytor . Dominic Tamez and Graham Crawford, both junior college transfers, will be competing for playing time behind the plate.
The pitching rotation for Alabama will be without left-hander Connor Prielipp, who will miss the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The rotation will feature seven returning pitchers, including Jack McNary, Antione Jean, Brock Huffey and Grayson Hitt.
Tuscaloosa's Garret McMillan, another pitcher, transferred from Shelton State after he helped the Buccaneers make it to the NJCAA World Series. McMillan will start for the Crimson Tide when it opens the the season Friday against Xavier at 3 p.m. at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.