Clarke leads Week Eight power rankings among position players

Wes Clarke photo courtesy of the University of South Carolina.

Here are our ratings for the top 14 position players in the Southeastern Conference as we head into the fourth weekend of league play. Players are ranked according to run production and fielding, with an allowance made for the competition against which it came. 

In parenthesis is an estimate of how many runs each player has "created", according to a formula developed by Bill James. Those numbers are displayed for total runs created as well as runs created per 27 outs, listed in that order. All stats are through games of Monday, March 5.

1. Wes Clarke, 1B/C/DH (South Carolina) 31.9 - 13.5

Despite his struggles in SEC play, Clarke continues to lead the nation with 15 home runs and also leads the SEC with 33 runs scored. He'll need to pick up his production in league games to stay here. 

 2. Liam Spence, SS (Tennessee) 30.4 - 12.1

Spence is a patient leadoff hitter who leads the SEC in on-base percentage (.523) and hits (42). In SEC play, Spence leads the league in runs scored (12).

3. Tim Elko, 3B (Ole Miss) 28.2 - 10.6

Elko suffered an injury in Ole Miss’ win over North Alabama on Monday.  He leads the SEC with 36 RBIs.

4. Carter Young, SS (Vanderbilt) 26.3 - 8.0

Vandy's slick-fielding shortstop leads the league with 11 RBIs in conference games and ranks second in SEC with nine doubles.

5. Nathan Hickey, DH/C (Florida) 27.1 - 10.3

The talented freshman ranks fourth in the SEC with 31 RBIs.

6. Dylan Crews, RF (LSU) 30.4 - 11.4

Crews, who opted out of 2020 MLB draft, is the second-leading hitter (.367) among SEC freshmen this season. He ranks second in the league with 40 hits.

7. Dominic Keegan, 1B (Vanderbilt) 24.7 - 14. 5

The SEC’s leading hitter (.405) despite missing seven games. He leads the SEC in slugging percentage (.838) as 18 of 30 hits have gone for extra bases.

8. Hayden Dunhurst, C (Ole Miss) 22.2 - 9.5

Dunhurst leads the Rebels and ranks fourth in SEC in on-base percentage (.474). He is also third in the league with 23 walks.

9. Enrique Bradfield, CF (Vanderbilt) 23.6 - 10.3

Bradfield leads the SEC and ranks ninth among Division I freshman with .391 batting average. He also leads the league with 22 stolen bases and ranks second in on-base percentage (.509).

10. Peyton Wilson, 2B (Alabama) 27.0 - 8.9

A dynamic leadoff hit with power and speed, Wilson leads the SEC with four leadoff home runs this season. Overall, he ranks eighth in the SEC with eight home runs.

11. Brady Allen, CF (South Carolina) 25.0 - 8.3

Another outstanding leadoff hitter, Allen leads the SEC with five home runs in league play. He is also second in the league with 27 total bases in SEC play.

12. Christian Franklin, CF (Arkansas) 21.9 - 8.2

Franklin is the starting centerfielder for the SEC’s top-rated defensive team this season. He ranks second in SEC with four home runs in league play.

13. Jake Rucker, 3B (Tennessee) 25.4. 9.0

One of two Tennessee players to rank in the Top 10 in SEC in total hits and SEC hits this year. Rucker is seventh in total hits (36) and ninth in SEC hits (13).

14. Tyler Miller, 1B (Auburn) 25.0 - 10.4

Miller provides pop in the middle of the Tigers batting order, as he ranks second in SEC in home runs (9) and fourth in the SEC in batting average (.376).