Laying Out An Award-Winning Case For RJ Yeager
May 11, 2022 | Baseball, Joel Coleman
Bulldog second baseman has had one of the most productive seasons in all of SEC baseball.
STARKVILLE – It was back on March 14 following a two-home-run game against Binghamton when RJ Yeager became a prophet.
"The best is yet to come," the Mississippi State second baseman said with a smile that night as he offered up his prediction.
Well, the best was indeed just around the corner. The result heading into the final few regular season games of the year is that Yeager has emerged as a frontrunner to be the First-Team second baseman when All-Southeastern Conference awards are announced later this month, along with other honors.
Baseball always has and always will be a game of numbers. Putting aside the intangible qualities of Yeager that have benefitted the Bulldogs this season, his numbers certainly speak for themselves.
Just take a quick look at where Yeager stands headed into the next-to-last weekend of the regular season. Note that all numbers and rankings are accurate as of midday on May 11.
Overall this season, Yeager's statistics are impressive enough. He has more home runs (16), RBI (48), and total bases (112) than any other SEC second baseman. His .671 slugging percentage is also the highest among league second sackers.
Yeager's numbers also hold up against the entire field. His homer total is fourth in the league among everyone. His RBI total is seventh, his total base amount is eighth and his slugging percentage is sixth.
As impressive as all of that is, what has really made Yeager's season special is how he's shined the brightest on crucial SEC weekends. Check out how Yeager stacks up when considering conference games only.
His 12 home runs and 36 hits in SEC play are tied for the most in the league. His 81 total bases in league games are tops in the conference.
Oh, but there's more.
Yeager paces all full-time second basemen in SEC-only batting average (.343), slugging percentage (.771), RBI (30) and doubles (nine), along with the aforementioned homer, total base and hits totals that sit either at the top or tied at the top of everyone, regardless of position.
There's no doubt it's been a special year for Yeager – the Lynn Haven, Florida, native who came to State prior to this season as a graduate transfer from Mercer. He's had big swing after big swing. He's made Yeager bombs a refreshing treat for everyone in maroon and white.
There are still ballgames left to play, but Yeager's case for postseason accolades is undeniable.
"There's a really good hitter in there," State head coach Chris Lemonis said of Yeager earlier this season.
There absolutely is, as he's shown over and over again this season. He's hit for power. He's hit for average. He's produced runs and sparked rallies. Not many, if any, SEC second basemen can lay claim to being the force RJ Yeager has been in 2022.
