SEC Starting Pitcher Power Rankings
SEC Play Reality Check
Conference play has a way of exposing everything.
The margin for error disappears. Lineups are deeper. At-bats are tougher. And what worked in non-conference either sharpens—or gets exposed quickly.
This weekend gave us our first real look at which arms are built for SEC play, which guys are trending into true Friday night roles, and which pitchers still have something to prove.
Here are the updated SEC Starting Pitcher Power Rankings after the first weekend of conference play.
Top 10
1. Jake Marciano — Auburn (↑ from No. 4)
0.93 ERA, 0.55 WHIP — 3-0, 42K / 2BB (29 IP)
Marciano continues to just fill it up—not with overpowering stuff (was 88-90 this weekend for the most part), but by commanding the zone and keeping hitters off balance. Another great outing this weekend with seven shutout innings.
2. Ruger Riojas — Texas (↓ from No. 1)
2.05 ERA, 0.80 WHIP — 4-0, 50K / 4BB (26.1 IP)
A slight blip this weekend going just 4.2 innings, but the overall body of work is still pure dominance—50 strikeouts to only four walks.
3. Liam Peterson — Florida (↑ from No. 13)
2.84 ERA — 44K / 14BB (25 IP)
Climbing fast and looking like a top-10 pick from a stuff, size and profile perspective. The command isn’t perfect, but this is probably the most electric arm in the SEC right now. Peterson was 95-97 most of the game and at times was sitting 98-99 with three other plus pitches. He throws a banger CB at 80-82, a power slider in the mid to upper 80’s and a nice change-up in the mid 80’s as well.
4. Tomas Valincius — Mississippi State (↑ from No. 23)
1.30 ERA, 0.98 WHIP — 4-0, 33K / 8BB (27.2 IP)
Seven innings, two hits, no runs against Arkansas. Power lefty at 94–96 who looks the part in a big way and is helping anchor an elite Mississippi rotation.
5. Dylan Volantis — Texas (↑ from No. 11)
1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP — 3-0, 40K / 8BB (29.1 IP)
One of the best outings of the weekend—six innings, one run, 11 strikeouts. The transition to starting looks seamless and you can easily see a pathway from SEC Freshman of the year to SEC Pitcher of the Year, so far.
6. Ryan McPherson — Mississippi State (↓ from No. 5)
2.48 ERA, 1.00 WHIP — 3-0, 36K / 5BB (29 IP)
Looked electric against Arkansas—94–97, touching 98 with a great curveball/cutter mix. A true Friday night presence.
7. LJ Mercurius — Oklahoma (↓ from No. 3)
1.59 ERA, 0.81 WHIP — 4-1, 41K / 8BB (28.1 IP)
Gave up a few runs this weekend—“ballooning” the ERA to 1.59—but still looks the part. Since LJ transferred from UNLV, I am continuing to see how he transitions into the SEC. I think his stuff plays where ever he pitches— I think the key for him is the location of his fastball and making sure it has the ride and late life he had early in the season.
8. Jackson Sanders — Auburn (↑ from No. 15)
2.76 ERA, 0.82 WHIP — 41K / 5BB (29.1 IP)
Seven innings, one run, eight strikeouts. Not as electric velocity-wise, but really solid execution. This weekend I saw him more 90-93, when other times I’ve seen him sitting low to mid 90’s, but his delivery is what creates the deception. His Madison Bumgardner-eque crossfire delivery, he creates some awkward angles and bad swings. Auburn’s rotation is scary if they stay healthy.
9. William Schmidt — LSU (↓ from No. 7)
3.12 ERA, 0.92 WHIP — 39K / 7BB (26 IP)
Still looks like an elite prospect. Some back spasms to monitor, but trending in the right direction, and may be the Friday night starter before you know it. Command will be always be the thing to watch for as he develops in the SEC.
10. Aidan King — Florida (↑ from No. 31)
0.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP — 3-1, 26K / 3BB (23.1 IP)
Still hasn’t given up an earned run. I’m splitting hairs here—the stuff isn’t as electric, but the results are undeniable. Either way, Florida may have the best 1-2 weekend rotation, right now.
11–25
11. Colin Fisher — Arkansas (↑ from No. 14)
1.95 ERA — 2-1, 36K / 5BB (27.2 IP)
Steady. Nothing special this weekend, nothing bad either, but I love him in Arkansas’ rotation, and the one I trust the most.
12. Jaxson Jelkin — Kentucky (↓ from No. 10)
3.38 ERA, 0.99 WHIP — 4-0, 31K / 5BB (26.2 IP)
Gave up a few runs but continues to look like a steady Friday arm for a Kentucky team that just swept Alabama.
13. Joey Volchko — Georgia (↑ from No. 18)
3.81 ERA, 1.27 WHIP — 4-0, 32K / 10BB (26 IP)
The hits and walks totals are a little high for me for a Friday night guy, but he continues to give Georgia quality innings. And I like Joey more than the Georgia fans think, I have very high expectations for him so I am just holding him to that standard.
14. Gabe Gaeckle — Arkansas (↑ from No. 17)
2.73 ERA — 2-1, 31K / 9BB (26.1 IP)
I really like Gaeckle and I think he suffers from the same expectation bias I have for Volchko. Gaeckle has everything to be a major league pitcher and a 1st round pick in the draft, but I selfishly want to see more fire out of him. At times, for me, it seems he just coasts instead of dominating.
15. Alec Petrovic — Auburn (↑ from No. 32)
7.2 strong innings this weekend. Looks like a really solid Sunday starter in an elite Auburn rotation. Tall RHP from Texas with a big prospect profile, 91-94 and finally coming into his own. Health has held him back in the past so if he can stay healthy, this looks like a break out year.
16. Cam Johnson — Oklahoma (↓ from No. 2)
Seven walks in just over two innings. Still elite stuff, but he has to throw strikes and has been plagued with command issues in the past. Hopefully this is an annomolly and the OU staff will have him right for Baton Rouge this weekend. Cam just needs to trust his stuff and pitch with conviction. It’s always easier said than done from the sidelines, but that kid has everything to be a dominant starter in the SEC, at this point it’s just about his mental game.
17. Tegan Kuhns — Tennessee (↓ from No. 9)
Electric stuff and strong strikeout-to-walk ratio. Has given up some hits but still belongs here and will continue to develop as an elite arm in the SEC.
18. Dylan Vigue — Georgia (NEW)
Looked really, really good against Tennessee and pitched a big game for them on Saturday. 90-94 with good off speed and presence on the mound. Vigue transferred from Michigan and I think he can handle the SEC.
19. Hunter Elliott — Ole Miss
Strikeouts are there, but too many walks and hit batters right now. You need to trust your Friday guy can go 90-100 pitches and give 6/7 innings each weekend, and Elliot is not instilling a ton of confidence with that sentiment. He is very experienced and I trust he will find his way, and with Cade Townsend leaving after one inning this past weekend, Elliot needs to figure it out fast.
20. Josh Gunther — South Carolina (NEW)
3.65 ERA, 1.16 WHIP — 31K / 8BB
Held Florida hitless through 6.1 innings. Good VAA, 91–95 with run and fade, and mixes four pitches with good sequencing and tunneling.
21. Shane Sdao — Texas A&M (↓ from No. 16)
A perfect Friday night starter for a team with a great offense—throws strikes, limits walks, and gives them innings.
22. Luke Harrison — Texas (NEW)
Big bounce-back start in a spot Texas needed after Friday night and big start for him after struggling the past two weekends.
23. Duke Stone — Mississippi State (↑ from No. 24)
Does exactly what you want on Sunday—throws strikes and keeps you in the game. Has an elite frame and stuff, with low to mid 90’s FB and big breaker.
24. Cord Rager — Oklahoma (↑ from No. 28)
True freshman with good stuff who gives Oklahoma a strong No. 3 option, who throws strikes. 28:7 K:BB ratio as a weekend starter is very impressive. He gave up some runs this weekend (40+MPH winds) so I am not holding that against him as his stuff was all there, and I am excited to see how he fares in Baton Rouge this weekend.
25. Josh McDevitt — Missouri (Unranked)
Good arm (91-94) with a really good changeup and CB (although command isn’t great yet). If he commands his stuff better, he could climb quickly. He was unranked, but I watched his start this weekend against Auburn and the stuff plays. He will need to command the ball better in the SEC, but some of his stats sit near the top of the SEC leaderboard and it’s time to pay attention.
26–46: Depth, Movement, and Watch List
26. Hunter Dietz — Arkansas
Tough outing drops him here, and drops so low because of inconsistency. Stuff is never the question.27. Landon Mack — Tennessee
Would be higher if command issues didn’t keep showing up, one of my favorite arms for next year’s draft class. Needs to continue to develop true command to harness the stuff.28. Javyn Pimentel — Missouri
Solid Friday night starter, just needs to miss more bats.29. Nate Harris — Kentucky
Nice bounce-back outing against Alabama this weekend going 6 strong, only giving up one hit.30. Evan Blanco — Tennessee
Solid Sunday starter with experience and a strong strikeout-to-walk profile.31. Cooper Moore — LSU
Still a solid Saturday arm, but can’t afford command lapses because of contact profile.32. Wyatt Nadeau — Vanderbilt
True freshman with big frame and stuff (94-96)—seven innings, three runs 10 strikeouts against LSU this weekend in his second weekend start.33. Tyler Fay — Alabama
Still missing bats (34:6 K:BB in 28.2 IP), even when giving up some runs.34. Connor Fennel — Vanderbilt
Got hit around by LSU, but fills up the zone and generates swings and misses with a unique vertical approach angle FB. 38:6 K:BB ratio, despite having a 5.47 ERA.
35. Casan Evans — LSU
Struggling with a transition to Friday night starter—five walks in three innings this weekend against a good offensive Vandy team. Time will tell to see if he can stay in the Friday role, but he needs to be more efficient if he is going to stick there.36. Zane Adams — Alabama
Giving up some hits, but experienced and should settle in, and could climb fast once he does.37. Miles Upchurch — Alabama
Talented freshman with real upside learning in SEC play, having one of his toughest outings so far.38. Aidan Sims — Texas A&M
Solid Sunday option continuing to develop for a strong offensive A&M team.39. Amp Phillips — South Carolina
Good No. 2 option with upside and has been doing a good job limiting runs. Held Florida in check this past Saturday and gave them a chance to win the game.40. Brady Kellenbrink — Missouri
Misses bats but needs to limit base runners and hard contact. If he is going to pitch Sunday in the SEC, he needs to keep Mizzou close.41. Ben Cleaver — Kentucky
Swing-and-miss stuff, but real questions about command and workload.42. Cooper Walls — Florida
Solid Sunday option, but needs to limit damage and give up less hits + walks.43. Will Libbert — Ole Miss
Looking to bounce back after a tough outing.44. Nate Taylor — Vanderbilt
Still trying to figure it out on Sundays.45. Weston Moss — Texas A&M
Bounce-back outing, but stuff and results (ERA near 6) are concerning, for me. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Sims in Saturday at some point.46. Riley Goodman — South Carolina
Didn’t get out of the first inning—has to figure things out to stay in a starting role.
Injury / Watch List
Cade Townsend — Ole Miss
Left with an injury—would be a top-15 arm if healthy.Kenny Ishikawa — Georgia
Back and will climb as he settles in, tough outing on Sunday in only two innings of work.Austin Nye — Vanderbilt
Bicep tendonitis—still figuring out the severity, but if they can get him back healthy it would do wonders for a Vandy team struggling on the mound.Sam Cozart (Texas), Taylor Tracey (Tennessee), Gavin Lyons
Not full weekend guys yet, but trending in the right direction. Some of these guys start mid-week but then throw valuable innings on the weekend like Mozart did this weekend for Texas.
Closing Thoughts
This is where it starts to separate.
You’re seeing who can actually handle a Friday night in the SEC, who can pitch when their stuff isn’t perfect, and who can compete when the environment speeds up.
Next weekend is only going to amplify that.
And that’s where these rankings really start to take shape.