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The SEC has long claimed they are the top conference in baseball, where the top talent wants to play and the selection committee worships. However, the top end talent was clearly in a different conference this year.
With four picks in the top 20, the Big 12 reigns supreme over all other conferences. Pitchers Alex Manoah and Nick Nodolo terrified hitters all year, as Texas Tech fans are well aware. Tech’s own Josh Jung was a star once again earning his name being called eighth with Baylor’s Shea Langeliers being taken right after.
Why this matters
Recruiting in baseball is tricky, since the cream of the crop can elect to head straight from high school to college. Any recruiting advantage for that next tier of players, guys who were not drafted quite as high as they liked, is huge.
The Big 12 can sell the big league dream as well as any other conference. The proof is on the draft board and if the SEC fanboys can brag about football draft picks, well so can Big 12 fans for baseball.