BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –– The Rattlers' baseball season is near, and they have some big name returners named to the Preseason All-SWAC First Team. 
 
Ty Jackson (First Team, Outfielder)
Jackson is the Rattlers' leading returner in hits (76, second most in program history) and runs scored (65) for a team that had a historic season, setting new records in hits, runs scored, home runs, doubles, and runs batted in. Jackson also led the team with 24 multi-hit games and had the season's longest hitting streak at 19 games.
 
Sebastian Greico (First Team, Designated Hitter)
Greico is the Rattlers' leading returner in home runs (17, most in program history). Greico led the team in runs batted in (69). Greico also had 49 runs, with a slugging percentage of .612.  
 
Janmikell Bastardo (First Team, Outfielder)
Bastardo is a starting outfielder who made a great impact on the team. Bastardo had a batting average of .333, with 13 home runs, 55 runs, 70 hits, and a slugging percentage of .590. 
 
Caleb Granger (First Team, Starting Pitcher)
Granger is the Rattlers' top returning pitcher after starting in 14 games and earned six wins. Granger struck out 57 batters and a WHIP of 1.75.
 
Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
 
SWAC East

1. Alabama State- 74 points (7) 
2. Bethune-Cookman- 63 points (4) 
3. Florida A&M- 61 points (3)
4. Jackson State- 46 points (1) 
5. Alabama A&M- 35 points (1) 
6. Mississippi Valley State- 15 points 

 SWAC West 

1. Grambling State- 79 points (7)
2. Prairie View A&M- 67 points (3) 
3. Southern- 56 points (2) 
4. Texas Southern- 55 points (1)
5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 46 points
6. Alcorn State- 33 points (3) 

 *First place votes listed in parenthesis ( )
 
The Rattlers will host Eastern Illinois in their season opener on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 4 p.m. Eastern.
 
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