#StateToTheShow Update: September 5

Photo by: Alice Hewitt/Sacramento River Cats

#StateToTheShow Update: September 5

September 05, 2025 | Baseball

By: Logan Lowery, Assistant Director/Communications

Mississippi State has a rich tradition of producing some of the top talent in professional baseball.

The Diamond Dawgs have produced 71 Major League Baseball players and 20 first-round picks during their storied history. MSU has had 52 players playing professionally this year, 13 at the big league level.

Among the Bulldogs at the MLB level this season are former All-Stars Adam Frazier, Brent Rooker, Jordan Westburg and Brandon Woodruff, first-round picks Rooker, Westburg, Justin Foscue Hunter Renfroe and Chris Stratton as well as World Series champions in Stratton and Nathaniel Lowe. Rooker was selected to the 2025 All-Star Game and also competed in the Home Run Derby while former first-rounder Jurrangelo Cijntje played in the MLB Futures Game.

State even has two former players coaching in the pros in New York Yankees' first base coach Travis Chapman and Carlisle Koestler, who is a pitching coach for the Texas Rangers in the Dominican Republic. The Diamond Dawgs had seven players drafted from its 2025 squad - Pico Kohn, Evan Siary, Karson Ligon, Hunter Hines, Luke Dotson, Nate Williams and Jacob Pruitt.

Each week throughout the season, HailState.com tracks how all the baseball alums are performing in the pros.

DIAMOND DAWGS IN MLB

ADAM FRAZIER – KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Pos. 2B Height: 5-10 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2011-13

AVG: .270 AB: 359 H: 97 R: 37 2B: 19 3B: 0 HR: 6 RBI: 38 BB: 22 SB: 8 OPS: .695

Notes: Frazier is hitting .348 (8-for-23) over his last seven games and reached a milestone with his 1,000th career hit, a solo homer against the Angels on Sept. 4.

J.T. GINN – ATHLETICS
Pos. SP Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2019-20

Record: 2-6 ERA: 5.17 G: 19 GS: 12 SV: 0 IP: 71.1 K: 81 BB: 23

Notes: Ginn has held right-handed hitters to a .186 batting average with a 51:8 strikeout to walk ratio this season.

KENDALL GRAVEMAN – FREE AGENT
Pos. RP Height: 6-2 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2010-13

Record: 1-0 ERA: 7.13 G: 19 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 17.2 K: 9 BB: 12

Notes: Graveman was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 13.

NATHANIEL LOWE – BOSTON RED SOX
Pos. 1B Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2016

AVG: .224 AB: 477 H: 107 R: 55 2B: 20 3B: 2 HR: 18 RBI: 76 BB: 51 SB: 1 OPS: .687

Notes: Lowe is hitting .324 (12-for-37) with three doubles, two homers and eight RBIs over his last 15 games.

JAKE MANGUM – TAMPA BAY RAYS
Pos. OF Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: S/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-19

AVG: .296 AB: 338 H: 100 R: 35 2B: 16 3B: 1 HR: 2 RBI: 35 BB: 16 SB: 22 OPS: .698

Notes: Mangum is batting .444 (12-for-27) with two doubles and two stolen bases over his last seven games.

KONNOR PILKINGTON – WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Pos. SP Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-18

Record: 2-0 ERA: 4.19 G: 21 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 19.1 K: 23 BB: 10

Notes: Pilkington has made seven-straight shutout appearances while recording nine strikeouts and only surrendered two hits.

HUNTER RENFROE – FREE AGENT
Pos. OF Height: 6-1 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2011-13

AVG: .182 AB: 99 H: 18 R: 5 2B: 6 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 4 BB: 8 SB: 0 OPS: .483

Notes: Renfroe was released by the Kansas City Royals on May 28.

BRENT ROOKER – ATHLETICS
Pos. OF Height: 6-3 Weight: 225 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2014-17

AVG: .271 AB: 549 H: 149 R: 86 2B: 37 3B: 3 HR: 27 RBI: 80 BB: 56 SB: 6 OPS: .839

Notes: Rooker is batting .346 (9-for-26) over his last seven games with five doubles, one homer, six RBIs and one stolen base.

CHRIS STRATTON – FREE AGENT
Pos. RP Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2010-12

Record: 0-0 ERA: 7.71 G: 15 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 21 K: 22 BB: 10

Notes: Stratton elected free agency on June 9 after being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

JORDAN WESTBURG – BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Pos. 3B Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2018-20

MLB
AVG: .276 AB: 283 H: 78 R: 53 2B: 9 3B: 1 HR: 15 RBI: 34 BB: 15 SB: 1 OPS: .799

Notes: Westburg is currently on the 10-day injured list.

BRANDON WOODRUFF – MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 242 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2012-14

Record: 5-2 ERA: 3.69 G: 10 GS: 10 SV: 0 IP: 53.2 K: 66 BB: 14

Notes: Woodruff has limited opposing hitters to a .203 batting average this season and .213 for his career.

DIAMOND DAWGS IN TRIPLE-A

ERIC CERANTOLA – OMAHA STORM CHASERS (ROYALS)
Pos. P Height: 6-5 Weight: 225 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2019-21

Record: 2-2 ERA: 4.64 G: 32 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 42.2 K: 52 BB: 22

Notes: Over his last four appearances, Cerantola has pitched six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and only surrendered three base runners during that span.

GAVIN COLLINS – MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (CARDINALS)
Pos. C Height: 5-11 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2014-16

AVG: .229 AB: 231 H: 53 R: 30 2B: 10 3B: 2 HR: 2 RBI: 28 BB: 26 SB: 4 OPS: .627

Notes: Collins hit a three-run triple against Rochester on Sept. 2.

JUSTIN FOSCUE – ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (RANGERS)
Pos. 1B Height: 5-11 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2018-20

MLB
AVG: .111 AB: 9 H: 1 R: 0 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 2 BB: 0 SB: 0 OPS: .333

MiLB
AVG: .247 AB: 344 H: 85 R: 55 2B: 22 3B: 0 HR: 16 RBI: 60 BB: 42 SB: 6 OPS: .784

Notes: Foscue went 2-for-4 with a solo homer at Albuquerque on Sept. 3.

J.P. FRANCE – SUGARLAND SPACE COWBOYS (ASTROS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 198 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2018

Record: 2-2 ERA: 7.66 G: 8 GS: 5 SV: 0 IP: 22.1 K: 25 BB: 21*

Notes: France is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA and has held hitters to a .189 batting average on the road this year.

DAKOTA HUDSON – SALT LAKE BEES (ANGELS)
Pos. P Height: 6-5 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2014-16

Record: 6-7 ERA: 7.10 G: 25 GS: 21 SV: 0 IP: 115.1 K: 77 BB: 49

Notes: Hudson has 40 wins and 364 career strikeouts at the MLB level.

CHRISTIAN MACLEOD – ST. PAUL SAINTS (TWINS)
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 227 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2020-21

Record: 2-4 ERA: 3.97 G: 23 GS: 17 SV: 0 IP: 77 K: 86 BB: 43*

Notes: MacLeod has held hitters to a .193 batting average with runners in scoring position in 2025.

ETHAN SMALL – SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS (GIANTS)
Pos. RP Height: 6-2 Weight: 219 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2016, 18-19

Record: 0-0 ERA: 0.00 G: 1 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 1 K: 2 BB: 0

Notes: Small made his season debut against Las Vegas on Sept. 2, firing a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts.

HUNTER STOVALL – DURHAM BULLS (RAYS)
Pos. 2B Height: 5-8 Weight: 170 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2016-18

AVG: .215 AB: 261 H: 56 R: 25 2B: 4 3B: 1 HR: 6 RBI: 29 BB: 23 SB: 8 OPS: .586*

Notes: Stovall has hit safely in six of his last seven games.

DIAMOND DAWGS IN DOUBLE-A

WILL BEDNAR – RICHMOND FLYING SQUIRRELS (GIANTS)
Pos. SP Height: 6-2 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-21

Record: 1-2 ERA: 4.66 G: 33 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 46.1 K: 72 BB: 36

Notes: Bednar pitched two shutout innings with five strikeouts at Altoona on Sept. 2.

JURRANGELO CIJNTJE – ARKANSAS TRAVELERS (MARINERS)
Pos. P Height: 5-11 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: S/S Lettered at MSU: 2023-24

Record: 5-7 ERA: 4.39 G: 24 GS: 21 SV: 0 IP: 98.1 K: 110 BB: 47

Notes: Cijntje earned a win following a six-inning start against Amarillo on Sept. 3 in which he struck out seven and only gave up one run.

TYSON HARDIN – BILOXI SHUCKERS (BREWERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 185 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24

Record: 6-5 ERA: 2.71 G: 19 GS: 19 SV: 0 IP: 89.2 K: 91 BB: 15

Notes: Hardin is 2-0 with a 0.70 ERA with 30 strikeouts and just four walks and has limited hitters to a .211 batting average during day games this season.

HOUSTON HARDING – ROCKET CITY TRASH PANDAS (ANGELS)
Pos: RP Height: 6-1 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2020-21

Record: 0-0 ERA: 5.03 G: 8 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 19.2 K: 19 BB: 10*

Notes: Harding is on the 60-day injured list.

K.C. HUNT – BILOXI SHUCKERS (BREWERS)

Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-22

Record: 7-9 ERA: 4.54 G: 24 GS: 24 SV: 0 IP: 111 K: 111 BB: 41

Notes: Hunt held hitters to a .200 batting average during the month of August.

KAMREN JAMES – MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (RAYS)
Pos. SS Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22

AVG: .171 AB: 123 H: 21 R: 13 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 7 BB: 13 SB: 2 OPS: .458*

Notes: James has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games.

PRESTON JOHNSON – FREE AGENT
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-22

Record: 4-4 ERA: 5.32 G: 24 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 45.2 K: 55 BB: 30*

Notes: Johnson returned to Double-A on Aug. 7 and was released by the Orioles organization the following day.

ROWDEY JORDAN – RETIRED
Pos. 2B Height: 5-10 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: S/R Lettered at MSU: 2018-21

AVG: .236 AB: 165 H: 39 R: 21 2B: 9 3B: 0 HR: 5 RBI: 20 BB: 11 SB: 3 OPS: .673*

Notes: Jordan voluntarily retired from the Houston Astros organization on June 10.

COLTON LEDBETTER – MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (RAYS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2023

AVG: .263 AB: 437 H: 115 R: 63 2B: 24 3B: 4 HR: 6 RBI: 44 BB: 50 SB: 34 OPS: .718

Notes: Ledbetter went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs at Columbus on Sept. 4.

DAVID MERSHON – ROCKET CITY TRASH PANDAS (ANGELS)
Pos. SS Height: 5-7 Weight: 175 Bats/Throws: S/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24

AVG: .178 AB: 270 H: 48 R: 32 2B: 11 3B: 2 HR: 1 RBI: 18 BB: 50 SB: 23 OPS: .552*

Notes: Mershon walked and hit an RBI double at Knoxville on Sept. 3.

LANDON SIMS – AMARILLO SOD POODLES (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 227 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22

Record: 4-2 ERA: 3.75 G: 45 GS: 0 SV: 11 IP: 48 K: 53 BB: 30

Notes: Sims worked a scoreless and hitless inning of relief at Arkansas on Sept. 3.

KHAL STEPHEN – AKRON RUBBERDUCKS (GUARDIANS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2024

Record: 9-2 ERA: 2.56 G: 20 GS: 19 SV: 1 IP: 95 K: 101 BB: 18*

Notes: Stephen has limited hitters to a .209 batting average this year.

ANDREW WALLING – READING FIGHTIN PHILS (PHILLIES)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2022

Record: 3-5 ERA: 4.14 G: 37 GS: 0 SV: 5 IP: 41.1 K: 46 BB: 17

Notes: Walling picked up a win after 1 1/3 shutout innings with three strikeouts against Chesapeake on Aug. 29.

COLBY WHITE – FREE AGENT
Pos. RP Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2019

Record: 1-1 ERA: 12.79 G: 4 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 6.1 K: 5 BB: 7

Notes: White was released by the Yankees organization on April 25.

R.J. YEAGER – FREE AGENT
Pos. SS Height: 6-3 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2022

AVG: .210 AB: 271 H: 57 R: 42 2B: 11 3B: 0 HR: 6 RBI: 32 BB: 23 SB: 4 OPS: .599

Notes: Yeager was released by the Cardinals organization on Aug. 12.

DIAMOND DAWGS IN SINGLE-A

BROOKS AUGER – GREAT LAKES LOONS (DODGERS)

Pos. P Height: 6-5 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2022-24

Record: 3-8 ERA: 5.28 G: 21 GS: 16 SV: 2 IP: 87 K: 53 BB: 37

Notes: Auger has limited batters to a .125 average with the bases loaded in 2025.

TYLER DAVIS – QUAD CITIES RIVER BANDITS (ROYALS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2023-24

Record: 4-2 ERA: 3.54 G: 28 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 48.1 K: 48 BB: 24*

Notes: Davis pitched a shutout inning of relief with one strikeout against Cedar Rapids on Sept. 2.

NATE DOHM – PEORIA CHIEFS (CARDINALS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24

Record: 3-7 ERA: 3.24 G: 23 GS: 22 SV: 0 IP: 75 K: 90 BB: 32*

Notes: Dohm is currently on the development list.

LUKE DOTSON – ACL D-BACKS (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 202 4-25

Record: n/a ERA: n/a G: n/a GS: n/a SV: n/a IP: n/a K: n/a BB: n/a

Notes: Dotson signed with the Diamondbacks on July 21 after being drafted in the 11th round.

JACKSON FRISTOE – TAMPA TARPONS (YANKEES)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-2 3

Record: 7-2 ERA: 4.37 G: 31 GS: 0 SV: 2 IP: 57.2 K: 44 BB: 32

Notes: Fristoe picked up a win following 2 2/3 perfect innings at Clearwater on Sept. 3.

HUNTER HINES – FCL NATIONALS (NATIONALS)
Pos. 1B Height: 6-3 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 202 2-25

AVG: n/a AB: n/a H: n/a R: n/a 2B: n/a 3B: n/a HR: n/a RBI: n/a BB: n/a SB: n/a OPS: n/a

Notes: Hines signed with the Nationals on July 15 after being drafted in the 10th round.

COLBY HOLCOMBE – VANCOUVER CANADIANS (BLUE JAYS)
Pos: P Height: 6-6 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24

Record: 3-11 ERA: 5.40 G: 25 GS: 15 SV: 0 IP: 75 K: 70 BB: 45

Notes: Holcombe has made four-straight scoreless appearances while striking out nine and only giving up one hit across 4 1/3 innings.

CONNOR HUJSAK – CHARLESTON RIVERDOGS (RAYS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24

AVG: .231 AB: 368 H: 85 R: 53 2B: 19 3B: 6 HR: 6 RBI: 50 BB: 33 SB: 28 OPS: .659

Notes: Hujsak went 3-for-5 with three singles, two runs scored and a stolen base against Augusta on Aug. 30.

DAKOTA JORDAN – SAN JOSE GIANTS (GIANTS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-0 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24

AVG: .311 AB: 370 H: 115 R: 71 2B: 15 3B: 6 HR: 14 RBI: 82 BB: 37 SB: 27 OPS: .874

Notes: Jordan is currently on the injured list.

PICO KOHN – FCL YANKEES (YANKEES)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 202 2 , 2024-25

Record: n/a ERA: n/a G: n/a GS: n/a SV: n/a IP: n/a K: n/a BB: n/a

Notes: Kohn signed with the Yankees on July 16 after being drafted in the fourth round.

KARSON LIGON – FCL BLUE JAYS
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 202 4-25

Record: n/a ERA: n/a G: n/a GS: n/a SV: n/a IP: n/a K: n/a BB: n/a

Notes: Ligon signed with the Blue Jays on July 19 after being drafted in the ninth round.

AARON NIXON – TAMPA TARPONS (YANKEES)

Pos. RP Height: 6-0 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023

Record: n/a ERA: n/a G: n/a GS: n/a SV: n/a IP: n/a K: n/a BB: n/a

Notes: Nixon is currently on the injured list and expected to miss the 2025 season.

JACOB PRUITT – FCL PHILLIES (PHILLIES)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 185 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 20 25

Record: n/a ERA: n/a G: n/a GS: n/a SV: n/a IP: n/a K: n/a BB: n/a

Notes: Pruitt signed with the Phillies on July 22 after being drafted in the 15th round.

CAM SCHUELKE – LYNCHBURG HILLCATS (GUARDIANS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2024

Record: 4-1 ERA: 3.86 G: 18 GS: 0 SV: 2 IP: 25.2 K: 30 BB: 12*

Notes: Schuelke has made seven-straight shutout outings from the bullpen which includes three victories and two saves.

EVAN SIARY – HICKORY CRAWDADS (RANGERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 202 3-25

Record: 0-0 ERA: 9.00 G: 3 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 4 K: 4 BB: 1

Notes: Siary was activated from the development list on Sept. 4.

CADE SMITH – HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES (YANKEES)
Pos. SP Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 20 2 1-23

Record: 1-1 ERA: 2.94 G: 10 GS: 10 SV: 0 IP: 33.2 K: 34 BB: 17*

Notes: Smith earned a win after a five-inning start in which he did not give up a run, struck out six and only surrendered two hits at Brooklyn on Aug. 31.

LOGAN TANNER – DAYTON DRAGONS (REDS)
Pos. C Height: 6-0 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22

AVG: .121 AB: 33 H: 4 R: 5 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 3 BB: 9 SB: 0 OPS: .431

Notes: Tanner is currently on the injured list and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

NATE WILLIAMS – ACL CUBS (CUBS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 20 25

Record: n/a ERA: n/a G: n/a GS: n/a SV: n/a IP: n/a K: n/a BB: n/a

Notes: Williams signed with the Cubs on July 25 after being drafted in the 13th round.

*Combined Minor League Stats

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