Continuing our preview for the upcoming Alabama Baseball season, the Crimson Tide return an experienced and talented infield with three starters from last season returning in 2022.
The Crimson Tide will however have to replace starting second baseman Peyton Wilson, a second round pick by the Kansas City Royals, and impactful piece of Alabama’s everyday lineup for the last two seasons.
Replacing the 2021 Second Team All-SEC selection will be key for the Crimson Tide in 2022, but when looking at Alabama Baseball’s 2022 infield overall, it if full of familiar names, as well as a few new additions that could make an impact.
Alabama Baseball 2022 Season Preview: Infield
Drew Williamson
A three-year starter for the Crimson Tide at first base, Williamson returns for his senior season cemented as Alabama Baseball’s starting first baseman.
Despite suffering an injury toward the end of SEC play last season, Williamson finished the 2021 campaign appearing in a total of 48 games, returning for the postseason. Slashing a combined .255/.367/.400, Williamson also added a career-high four home runs and 12 doubles, as well as 21 RBI’s which tied a career-high.
Since coming to Tuscaloosa in 2019, the senior has been an impactful part of Alabama’s everyday starting lineup, appearing in a total of 118 games. Batting a combined .281 with an .817 OPS across the last three seasons, Williamson has also committed only a combined three errors defensively at first base during that span.
One of the most-experienced players for the Crimson Tide, as well as the SEC overall, expect Williamson to once again be a constant in Alabama’s everyday lineup at first base, with new career-high’s likely set in both home runs and RBI’s in 2022.
2022 Season Prediction: .285 AVG, .430 OBP, .450 SLG, .880 OPS, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 5 SB