Omaha's Greatest Show on Dirt: MCWS 2024 Preview

This year's College World Series lineup offers a distinctive viewpoint. While it lacks broad national representation as far as conferences go. With just two conferences featured, it presents an opportunity for a new champion to emerge.

Despite the SEC and ACC teams claiming all eight tickets to Omaha, there's a strong possibility that a first-time winner could arise. Among the participants in Omaha, only Florida (2017) and Virginia (2015) have previously claimed a Men’s College World Series title, totaling just two championships. The remaining six teams are all competing for their inaugural trophy, with Florida State notably making its 24th appearance at the CWS without securing a championship, second only to Texas in appearances.

Recent history shows a favorable trend for the SEC, which has clinched the last four CWS titles, although none of those victorious schools are competing this year. In contrast, ACC schools have only secured two championships, with Virginia's victory alongside Wake Forest's lone triumph in 1955.

Will one of the ACC teams achieve a breakthrough, or will the SEC continue its dominant streak?

Eight Punched Tickets to Omaha

Florida Gators

The 2023 Men’s College World Series runner up Florida Gators are led by Coach Kevin O’Sullivan. This is the school’s 14th CWS appearance and 9th under the guidance of Coach O’Sullivan. The school will look to rewrite last year’s ending with their second National Championship and first since 2017.

MLB Draft Prospects:

Jac Caglianone | Jr. | 1B/LHP | Rated No. 7 by Baseball America’s Top MLB Draft Prospects
Colby Shelton | So.| SS | Rated No. 39 by Baseball America’s Top MLB Draft Prospects

New Jersey Natives:

Pierce Coppola | So. | LHP | Verona

Florida State Seminoles

The No. 8 National Seed Florida State Seminoles are led by Coach Link Jarrett. This is the school’s 24th CWS appearance and first since 2017. The school has been the Men’s College World Series runner-up three times, however they have never secured the hardware.

MLB Draft Prospects:

James Tibbs III. | Jr. | OF | Rated No. 11 by Baseball America’s Top MLB Draft Prospects
Cam Smith | So. | 3B | Rated No. 13 by Baseball America’s Top MLB Draft Prospects

New Jersey Natives:

Cam Leiter | So. | RHP | Bayville (Leiter is younger cousin to Jack Leiter, RHP for the Texas Rangers.)

Kentucky Wildcats

Coach Nick Mingione guides the No. 2 National Seed Kentucky Wildcats. This marks the school’s first appearance in the Men’s College World Series. The Wildcats are determined to secure their first championship berth.

MLB Draft Prospects:

Ryan Waldschmidt | Jr. | OF | Rated No. 23 by Baseball America’s Top MLB Draft Prospects

New Jersey Natives:

Carson Applegate | Fr. | RHP | Columbus

North Carolina Tar Heels

Coach Scott Forbes leads the No. 4 National Seed North Carolina Tar Heels. They are making their 12th Men’s College World Series appearance and returning to the tournament for the first time since 2018. The Tar Heels aim to reach the finals for the first time since 2007 and clinch the school’s first championship.

MLB Draft Prospects:

Vance Honeycutt | Jr. | OF | Rated No. 12 by Baseball America’s Top MLB Draft Prospects

New Jersey Natives:

Alex Madera | Grad | IF | Delran
Eliot Dix | Grad | IF | Maplewood
Ryan Fischer | Grad | RHP | Whitehouse Station

NC State Wolfpack

Coach Elliott Avent leads the No. 10 National Seed Wolfpack, marking their fourth appearance in the Men’s College World Series and their first since 2021. Despite never reaching the finals of the MCWS tournament, the Wolfpack are determined to secure their first championship.

MLB Draft Prospects:

Jacob Cozart | Jr. | C | Rated No. 31 by Baseball America’s Top MLB Draft Prospects

New Jersey Natives:

Shane Van Dam | So. | RHP | Cranford

Tennessee Volunteers

Coach Tony Vitello leads the No. 1 National Seed Vols. This marks the school’s seventh College World Series appearance and their second consecutive year qualifying. The Vols are aiming to capture their first National Championship title.

MLB Draft Prospects:

Billy Amick | Jr. | IF | Rated No. 16 on Baseball America’s list of top collegiate prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft.
Christian Moore | Jr. | IF | Rated No. 16 on Baseball America’s list of top collegiate prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft.
Drew Beam | Jr. | RHP | Rated No. 30 on Baseball America’s list of top collegiate prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft.
Blake Burke | Jr. | 1B | Rated No. 38 on Baseball America’s list of top collegiate prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft.
Dylan Dreiling | So. | OF | Rated No. 46 on Baseball America’s list of top collegiate prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft.

New Jersey Natives:

None

Texas A&M Aggies

Led by Coach Jim Schlossnagle, the No. 3 National Seed Aggies return to Omaha for the first time since 2022, marking their eighth appearance in school history. Despite their history, Texas A&M has yet to secure a College World Series Championship.

MLB Draft Prospects:

Braden Montgomery | Jr. | OF | Rated No. 5 on Baseball America’s list of top collegiate prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft.
Ryan Prager | So. | LHP | Rated No. 41 on Baseball America’s list of top collegiate prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft.

New Jersey Natives:

Max Kaufer | So. | C | Medford

Virginia Cavaliers

Coach Brian O'Connor leads the No. 12 National Seed Cavs. This marks the school's seventh tournament appearance and their second consecutive year qualifying. The Cavs are determined to secure their second championship in school history, the first since 2015.

MLB Draft Prospects:

Ethan Anderson | Jr. | 1B/C | Rated No. 35 on Baseball America’s list of top collegiate prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft.

New Jersey Natives:

Mark Gialluisi | Fr. | C | Westfield
Aidan Teel | So. | RHP/UT | Mahwah
Anthony Stephan | Jr. | OF | Ridgewood
Matt Augustin | Fr. | RHP | Cherry Hill

Tournament Schedule

The tournament opened on Friday with two back-to-back walk-off wins (North Carolina over Virginia and Tennessee over Florida State). Saturday’s contests feature Kentucky vs. NC State and Florida vs. Texas A&M.

College World Series Schedule & Bracket