June 6, 2025

Mississippi State Baseball Faces Roster Changes Amid Transfers

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News Summary

Mississippi State baseball is experiencing a significant roster shift as three players, including Jackson Owen, Robert Fortenberry, and Kevin Mannell, have entered the transfer portal. This follows a difficult season for the Bulldogs, resulting in a total of nine athletes seeking new opportunities. The recent departures reflect the ongoing challenges faced by the program under new head coach Brian O’Connor, who aims to rebuild and prepare for the next season with potential incoming talent.

Starkville, Mississippi – Mississippi State baseball is facing significant roster upheaval as three players have recently entered the transfer portal. This decision comes following a challenging season for the Bulldogs, which has prompted a total of nine athletes from the team to seek new opportunities elsewhere.

Former Starkville High School standout Jackson Owen is among the three players making this transition. Alongside him, left-handed pitcher Robert Fortenberry and right-handed pitcher Kevin Mannell have also announced their intent to transfer. All three players served primarily as reserves during the past season, leading to speculation about their future in the program.

Kevin Mannell, who transferred to Mississippi State from Cloud County Community College and Kansas State, entered the season with high expectations. Throughout the season, Mannell appeared in 11 games, recording a 2-0 win-loss record and a 4.30 earned run average (ERA) over 14.2 innings, which included 19 strikeouts. Unfortunately, Mannell’s performance tailed off during his final outing against Missouri, where he struggled, giving up three hits and three runs while getting only one out.

Robert Fortenberry, who joined the Bulldogs from Weatherford College, had a less favorable performance in his appearances. He took the mound in six games, finishing with an alarming ERA of 11.12. Fortenberry pitched in his only Southeastern Conference (SEC) game against Auburn on April 27, which did not help his standing with the coaching staff.

Jackson Owen’s journey to Mississippi State was also fraught with challenges. The young catcher played a total of six games as a Bulldog, starting once after missing his first year due to an injury. Owen was highly regarded before joining the college ranks, having been recognized as one of the top junior college catchers in the country during his time at Northeast Mississippi Community College, where he earned a Golden Glove award.

In Owen’s announcement regarding his transfer, he expressed gratitude toward Mississippi State and its faithful supporters, indicating that this decision was not made lightly. Despite the difficulties encountered during his time at MSU, he remains appreciative of the community and the experiences he gained.

The exit of Owen, Mannell, and Fortenberry fits into a larger trend within Mississippi State’s baseball program. Since the transfer portal opened, a total of nine players have left the roster, highlighting the ongoing challenges that the team and new head coach Brian O’Connor will face. Other members that have announced their intention to transfer include Landis Davila, Gavin Black, Dylan Cupp, Nolan Stevens, Michael O’Brien, and Luke Dotson.

As O’Connor settles into his new role, he has signaled a shift in the direction of the program, which could lead to further changes in the roster in the coming months. With the new head coach looking to build a competitive team, the loss of these players may open opportunities for incoming recruits or transfer athletes searching for a fresh start.

This mass exodus from the Mississippi State baseball program represents not only individual players seeking to further their careers but also signifies a broader process of reassessing and rebuilding within the team. As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on how O’Connor manages the adjustments and what strategies he will employ to strengthen the Bulldogs ahead of the next season.