News Summary
Mississippi State baseball is gearing up for the 2026 season after a productive 2025 MLB Draft where eleven players were drafted. Notably, incoming talents such as Jack Bauer, Jacob Parker, and Chris Billingsley are set to strengthen the roster, while some drafted players may forgo college careers. The team’s stability is expected to be maintained with undrafted players like Noah Sullivan and Gehrig Frei remaining. With key commitments and a solid foundation, Mississippi State baseball looks poised for a promising season ahead.
Starkville, Mississippi – Mississippi State baseball is gearing up for an exciting 2026 season following a productive 2025 MLB Draft, where eleven players were selected. Among them, seven are expected to forgo their college careers to pursue professional opportunities, but the team also welcomes new talent, including notable commitments.
The 2025 MLB Draft witnessed a trend of fewer high school players being chosen, with left-handed pitcher Jack Bauer, rated as the 44th overall draft prospect, and his teammate Jacob Parker, the 109th prospect, both making headlines. While Parker was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, he made the decision to join Mississippi State instead, strengthening the roster for the upcoming season. Jack Bauer also notably turned down several professional opportunities to commit to Mississippi State, demonstrating a considerable investment in his college career.
Adding to the incoming talent is Chris Billingsley, a two-way player who recently transferred from East Central Community College. Over his two seasons in junior college, Billingsley achieved a stellar record of 14 wins and 4 losses, posting a 4.09 earned run average (ERA) alongside 149 strikeouts over 127.2 innings pitched. Though Billingsley is primarily coming in as a pitcher, he also has experience as a batter, recording a .225 batting average, with two home runs and 11 runs batted in across 58 at-bats.
Billingsley has showcased his talent in the MLB Draft League with the Trenton Thunder, where his fastball has been clocked at an impressive 98 MPH. He is set to work with Justin Parker, who is recognized as one of the top pitching coaches in the country, with a track record of successfully guiding players to the Major Leagues.
In addition to Bauer and Parker, Mississippi State saw significant interest in other key players during the draft. JoJo Parker was selected as the 8th overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays, while Landon Harmon was drafted 80th overall by the Washington Nationals and Pico Kohn was selected 134th overall by the New York Yankees. The potential losses of these players, along with four others likely to sign professional contracts, left fans wondering about the team’s future. However, some undrafted players, notably Noah Sullivan and Gehrig Frei, are expected to remain at Mississippi State, which could help maintain stability on the roster.
With the sign deadline for drafted players set for July 28 at 4 p.m. CT, the next few weeks will be critical for both Mississippi State and its players as their futures in baseball become clearer. Overall, the combination of talent departing for professional careers and incoming recruits suggests a promising outlook for Mississippi State baseball in the 2026 season.
Fans of Mississippi State baseball can anticipate a competitive roster, significantly bolstered by the new commitments of players like Billingsley, Bauer, and Parker. With minimal draft-related losses and a focus on developing the incoming class, the foundation is set for an exciting season ahead.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State Baseball Roster for 2025 MLB Draft
- Wikipedia: Mississippi State Bulldogs Baseball
- Hail State: Seven Bulldogs Selected in MLB Draft
- Google Search: Mississippi State Baseball
- On3: Mississippi State Baseball MLB Draft 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- Starkville Daily News: O’Connor’s Move to MSU Baseball
- Google News: Mississippi State Baseball MLB Draft
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.
