Slate Alford’s 2024 season could be summed up with the word “almost.” The talented infielder out of Madison, Alabama, almost hit 20 home runs, almost made it to Omaha and almost got drafted.
“I think now it’s kind of that chip on his shoulder,” said Georgia head coach Wes Johnson when asked how Alford is feeling. “He wants to show people he can do it in this league again… then there’s going to be no doubt about his opportunity in professional baseball.”
Alford didn’t start with Georgia but played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs in his first two years. He always could hit, with 12 multi-hit games in his sophomore season. He stands at 6-foot-3 and can mash baseballs, hitting nine homers in sophomore year and 17 in his junior year with Georgia. His defense comes naturally enough, last year fielding at an impressive .947 in 171 total chances in the infield.
His transferring to Georgia was one of many reasons the Bulldogs were so excited about their potential last year. Alford was by no means a disappointment, earning SEC Player of the Week right after Opening Weekend. He hit .300 with 13 doubles and 69 RBIs. He started all 60 games for Georgia, cycling through every position on the infield.
And yet, that word “almost” followed the season. Charlie Condon led the NCAA in hits and home runs. Corey Collins blasted his way to getting drafted by the New York Mets. Alford, as talented as he was, did not get drafted. And the team, as talented as they were, did not compete in Omaha. But there’s no resentment or disgruntlement when you talk to the leader of the Bulldogs infield going into 2025.
“We’re just excited. We’re excited to be here,” Alford said. The question was about him but his answer is about the team.
“Like I said, not just me. You know, we got a lot of guys that got a chip on their shoulder… we’re just excited,” he added.
If you ask him about where he expects to be in the lineup now that he is the premiere returning bat, he shrugs it off.
“You know wherever they need me… We’ve got a ton of dudes that can hit,” he said “We got a ton of dudes that can play. So, like I said, wherever they need me.”
Last year’s season is motivation but not a point of soreness. He is proud of where his former teammates have done to move on to pro ball following last year’s success. And he is ready to prove he is ready for what’s next.
“That team was very bought into one goal. Obviously, we came up short… that left a sting. That’s probably good,” Alford said.
With the new transfer class and the talent making up the Georgia clubhouse, Alford will once again be competing for individual attention right at home, let alone within the league. But he invites the challenge. He has high praise for the people he’s working with. They’re making him better and his experienced hand is doing the same for them.
There are a lot of reasons for Georgia to be excited about what awaits them this season. They’re the eighth-ranked program in the country, according to D1baseball.com. They have a trusted, steady hand at head coach. They have $45 million dollars worth of new renovations to take their program over the hump. But they also have the talented infielder Slate Alford. He is ready to make this a season that finishes atop the mountain and the “almosts.”
