News Summary

Mississippi State University achieved a remarkable feat with seven players drafted during the MLB Draft. The team celebrated the milestone as two pitchers and a first baseman led the way, showcasing their talents from the collegiate season. With a total of 248 drafted players in its history, MSU continues to produce top talents, while some high school prospects decided to join the university instead of entering the draft.

Starkville

In a remarkably successful showing for Mississippi State University, seven players were selected during the second day of the 2025 MLB Draft, bringing the total count of drafted MSU players to 248 throughout its history. The selections included talented pitchers and hitters who showcased impressive performances during the collegiate season.

Pico Kohn, a junior left-handed pitcher, made headlines as the first player from MSU to be drafted by the New York Yankees since Cade Smith in 2023. Kohn was selected in the fourth round, 134th overall. During the 2025 season, he started 15 games, finishing with a record of 5-4 and an earned run average (ERA) of 4.72. Kohn also recorded 114 strikeouts against 29 walks across 80 innings, ranking seventh in strikeouts within the Southeastern Conference.

Following Kohn, right-handed pitcher Evan Siary was chosen in the eighth round, 235th overall by the Texas Rangers. Siary displayed versatility during the season, serving in various roles and mainly starting on Saturdays during SEC play. He ended his campaign with a 3-1 record in 15 appearances and 10 starts, accumulating 72 strikeouts and 15 walks in 54 innings. Siary is the 13th Diamond Dawg selected by the Rangers.

Another standout pitcher from the Bulldogs, Karson Ligon, was drafted in the ninth round, 262nd overall, by the Toronto Blue Jays. Ligon compiled a record of 6-5 in 15 starts, tallying 73 strikeouts over 56 and 2/3 innings. He is the third Bulldog selected by the Blue Jays in the past two years.

First baseman Hunter Hines, along with his successful career at Mississippi State, was drafted in the 10th round, 291st overall by the Washington Nationals. Hines holds the record for being MSU’s all-time home run leader with 70 home runs and 221 runs batted in (RBIs). In the 2025 season, he maintained a batting average of .280, alongside 15 doubles and 16 home runs—a significant contribution to the team’s success. He is the first player from Mississippi State drafted by the Nationals since Tyler Moore in 2008.

In the 11th round, 333rd overall, left-handed pitcher Luke Dotson was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Dotson made 18 appearances during the year, recording a 1-2 record with a solid ERA of 3.09 and 34 strikeouts in 23 and 1/3 innings. He became the first Diamond Dawg drafted by the Diamondbacks since Landon Sims in 2022.

Right-handed pitcher Nate Williams was taken in the 13th round, 391st overall by the Chicago Cubs. With a record of 1-3, Williams also secured a save and logged a 4.23 ERA in 27 and 2/3 innings, totaling 51 strikeouts. He is the 10th player from Mississippi State to be drafted by the Cubs, marking the first selection since 2007.

The list of drafted players was rounded out with junior right-handed pitcher Jacob Pruitt, who was picked in the 15th round, 461st overall by the Philadelphia Phillies. Pruitt had a solid season, appearing in nine games with a record of 1-0 and 23 strikeouts across 18 and 2/3 innings. Notably, he became the first Bulldog drafted by the Phillies in 25 years.

Players have until July 28 at 4 p.m. CT to sign contracts with their respective MLB teams. Meanwhile, high school left-handed pitcher Jack Bauer, ranked as the No. 44 draft prospect by MLB.com and renowned for his record pitch of 103 mph, has opted out of the MLB Draft to join Mississippi State in 2026.

Additionally, Jacob Parker, who was drafted in the 19th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks, will also attend Mississippi State instead of signing a professional contract. However, his twin brother JoJo Parker was drafted 8th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays and does not plan to play for MSU. Another MSU signee, Landon Harmon, was selected in the 3rd round by the Washington Nationals.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Davion Hickson Selected by Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB Draft
Texas Rangers Select Evan Siary in MLB Draft
Mississippi State Baseball Players Shine in MLB Draft
Mississippi High School Players Shine in MLB Draft
Jack Bauer Chooses College Over MLB Draft
Mississippi State Baseball Dominates 2025 MLB Draft
Starkville-Oktibbeha School District Moves Ahead with New High School
Mississippi State’s Pico Kohn Projected for Fourth Round in MLB Draft
Top Prospect Jack Bauer Commits to Mississippi State Baseball
Mississippi State Baseball Prepares for Upcoming MLB Draft

Additional Resources

• Clarion Ledger: Jack Bauer MLB Draft
• Wikipedia: Mississippi State Bulldogs Baseball
• On3: Mississippi State Baseball MLB Draft 2
• Google Search: Mississippi State baseball MLB draft
• Clarion Ledger: Jacob Parker MLB Draft
• Google Scholar: Mississippi State baseball draft
• Sports Illustrated: JoJo Parker Drafted
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
• On3: Mississippi State Baseball MLB Draft 2025
• Google News: Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball

Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER

The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.