News Summary
Mississippi State University has fortified its baseball roster with the recent commitments of pitcher Tyler Pitzer from South Carolina and catcher Kevin Milewski from Seton Hall. These acquisitions are part of the Bulldogs’ strategy to rebuild the team following player departures and the appointment of new head coach Brian O’Connor. Pitzer brings experience from a winning program, while Milewski’s impressive batting stats will aid in addressing roster gaps. Overall, the Bulldogs’ recent commitments signal a renewed commitment to enhancing their competitive stance in college baseball.
Starkville, Mississippi – Mississippi State University has solidified its baseball roster with the recent commitments of Tyler Pitzer, a right-handed pitcher from the University of South Carolina, and Kevin Milewski, a catcher from Seton Hall University. The announcements are part of Mississippi State’s efforts to strengthen its team following several departures and the recent hiring of new head coach Brian O’Connor.
Tyler Pitzer confirmed his commitment to Mississippi State on Saturday morning. During his previous two years at South Carolina, he played under coaches with significant winning records: Paul Mainieri, who has accumulated 1,533 career wins, and Brian O’Connor, whose record stands at 917 wins, resulting in a combined total of 2,450 victories for both coaches. In his final season, Pitzer predominantly served as a bullpen arm, making two midweek starts where he pitched three innings without allowing any runs, achieving two strikeouts in the process.
Looking at Pitzer’s overall performance, he made 19 appearances in the 2025 season, concluding with a 6.99 ERA over 28.1 innings. He allowed 22 earned runs, issued 28 walks, and secured 32 strikeouts. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are optimistic about Pitzer’s contributions under O’Connor’s leadership as they embark on a new season.
Meanwhile, Kevin Milewski, a sophomore catcher from Seton Hall, announced his commitment to Mississippi State on June 21. In the most recent season, he played 52 games, achieving a commendable batting average of .303 and hitting 16 home runs while driving in 58 runs (RBIs). His decision to join the Bulldogs comes at a critical time, as Mississippi State faces a shortage of catchers after Joe Powell has exhausted his eligibility, and Ross Highfill has entered the transfer portal.
Importantly, Milewski is not eligible for the MLB draft until 2026, allowing him to contribute significantly to the Bulldogs in the upcoming seasons. Also in the mix is Jackson Owen, who briefly entered the transfer portal but has since announced his return to Mississippi State, although he only made one start last season. With the arrival of Milewski, Mississippi State is filling crucial gaps left by players who have departed.
The addition of Pitzer and Milewski brings Mississippi State’s total commitments since the transfer portal opened on June 2 to eleven. This includes eight recent commitments from various schools, such as outfielder Blake Bevis from Ball State and infielder Chone James from Virginia. As confirmed, several other players from institutions including Illinois, Virginia, and NC State have also committed to the Bulldogs.
The team has faced challenges with 13 players entering the transfer portal, but with the recent influx of new talent, Mississippi State is poised to rebuild and fortify its roster ahead of the upcoming season. The likes of Pitzer and Milewski, along with other recruits, signal a renewed commitment to enhancing the Bulldogs’ prospects as they navigate the competitive landscape of college baseball.
As Mississippi State prepares for the challenges ahead, the strategic additions of Pitzer and Milewski reflect a proactive approach in reconstructing a robust team. With ongoing transitions and new leadership under Coach O’Connor, the Bulldogs remain focused on returning to prominence in collegiate baseball.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: Kevin Milewski commits to Mississippi State
- Wikipedia: Mississippi State University
- Sports Illustrated: Mississippi State builds transfer portal class
- Google Search: Mississippi State baseball transfer portal
- On3: Tyler Pitzer commits to Mississippi State
- Google Scholar: Mississippi State baseball
- Clarion Ledger: Blake Bevis transfers to Mississippi State
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Baseball
- 247 Sports: Luke Hutchinson commits to Mississippi State
- Google News: Mississippi State baseball
