Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Yeager Named Finalist For Ferriss Trophy
May 16, 2022 | Baseball
The Ferriss Trophy is presented annually to the Most Outstanding College player in Mississippi each year
JACKSON – Mississippi State second baseman RJ Yeager has been named one of five finalists for the 2022 Ferriss Trophy presented by the MBCI and Pearl River Resort, it was announced on Monday (May 16).
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The Ferriss Trophy is named in memory of the former Major League star and long-time Delta State baseball coach Dave "Bo" Ferriss and is presented annually to the Most Outstanding College player in Mississippi each year. This will be the 18th presentation of the award. The winner will be announced at luncheon held at the Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson on May 23.
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In the 17-year history of the award, seven Diamond Dawgs have earned the C Spire Ferriss Trophy on eight occasions, with Jake Mangum (2016 & 19) the only student-athlete to earn the award twice. Tanner Allen (2021), Brent Rooker (2017), Hunter Renfroe (2012), Chris Stratton (2012), Ed Easley (2007) and Thomas Berkery (2006) have each walked away as Ferriss Trophy winners. The eight winners of the award are the most by any school in the state of Mississippi.
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Yeager leads the Diamond Dawgs this season with a .317 batting average in 51 games played, while he also paces the club with 17 home runs during the 2022 campaign. The senior from Lynn Haven, Florida, also ranks first on the team with 14 doubles and a .677 slugging percentage in his first season at Mississippi State.
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The senior infielder transferred to State after spending four years as a standout at Mercer and currently ranks first in the SEC with 41 hits and 13 home runs in conference play alone. His .767 slugging percentage in league play tops all SEC players this season. Overall, Yeager ranks in the top five in the SEC in home runs, runs batted in, total bases and slugging percentage.
Three pitchers and two position players make up the finalists this year. Along with Yeager, Ole Miss has Tim Elko, Southern Miss is represented by right-hand pitcher Tanner Hall, pitcher Harrison Haley is from Delta State, and Belhaven has hurler Brett Sanchez in the final vote.
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Finalists and the ultimate winner of the award are chosen by the state's college baseball coaches and a panel of Major League Baseball professional scouts, along with fan voting, which accounts for a weighted 10 percent of the award.
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Tickets for the luncheon banquet are on sale now at the Hall of Fame office or online at www.msfame.com. Individual tickets are $40 each and tables of 8 are available. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. and this year's winner will be announced at the close of the event. Finalists for this year's award will be announced May 16.
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This will be the first in-person presentation since 2019 after the 2020 season was cancelled and the 2021 presentation was virtual.
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Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the baseball program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateBB' on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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The Ferriss Trophy is named in memory of the former Major League star and long-time Delta State baseball coach Dave "Bo" Ferriss and is presented annually to the Most Outstanding College player in Mississippi each year. This will be the 18th presentation of the award. The winner will be announced at luncheon held at the Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson on May 23.
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In the 17-year history of the award, seven Diamond Dawgs have earned the C Spire Ferriss Trophy on eight occasions, with Jake Mangum (2016 & 19) the only student-athlete to earn the award twice. Tanner Allen (2021), Brent Rooker (2017), Hunter Renfroe (2012), Chris Stratton (2012), Ed Easley (2007) and Thomas Berkery (2006) have each walked away as Ferriss Trophy winners. The eight winners of the award are the most by any school in the state of Mississippi.
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Yeager leads the Diamond Dawgs this season with a .317 batting average in 51 games played, while he also paces the club with 17 home runs during the 2022 campaign. The senior from Lynn Haven, Florida, also ranks first on the team with 14 doubles and a .677 slugging percentage in his first season at Mississippi State.
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The senior infielder transferred to State after spending four years as a standout at Mercer and currently ranks first in the SEC with 41 hits and 13 home runs in conference play alone. His .767 slugging percentage in league play tops all SEC players this season. Overall, Yeager ranks in the top five in the SEC in home runs, runs batted in, total bases and slugging percentage.
Three pitchers and two position players make up the finalists this year. Along with Yeager, Ole Miss has Tim Elko, Southern Miss is represented by right-hand pitcher Tanner Hall, pitcher Harrison Haley is from Delta State, and Belhaven has hurler Brett Sanchez in the final vote.
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Finalists and the ultimate winner of the award are chosen by the state's college baseball coaches and a panel of Major League Baseball professional scouts, along with fan voting, which accounts for a weighted 10 percent of the award.
Â
Tickets for the luncheon banquet are on sale now at the Hall of Fame office or online at www.msfame.com. Individual tickets are $40 each and tables of 8 are available. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. and this year's winner will be announced at the close of the event. Finalists for this year's award will be announced May 16.
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This will be the first in-person presentation since 2019 after the 2020 season was cancelled and the 2021 presentation was virtual.
Â
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the baseball program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateBB' on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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