#StateToTheShow Update: April 5

Apr 3, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher J.T. Ginn (35) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Photo by: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

#StateToTheShow Update: April 5

April 05, 2026 | Baseball

By: Logan Lowery, Assistant Director/Communications

Mississippi State has produced plenty of professional baseball players over the years and 2026 is no exception.

There are 40 former Diamond Dawgs playing professional baseball this year including seven big leaguers. Among those are All-Stars Adam Frazier, Brent Rooker (2x), Jordan Westburg and Brandon Woodruff (2x) and World Series champion Nathaniel Lowe.

MSU had had 20 first round draft picks during its storied history including Rooker, Westburg, Justin Foscue, Will Bednar, Landon Sims and Jurrangelo Cijntje.

HailState.com will have a weekly update on how these former Bulldogs are performing in their baseball journey.

DIAMOND DAWGS IN MLB

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

AVG: .000 AB: 3 H: 0 R: 1 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 0 BB: 1 SB: 0 OPS: .250

Notes: Frazier signed a minor league contract with the Angels on Feb. 16 and made the opening day roster out of spring training.

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

Record: 0-0 ERA: 3.18 G:3 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 5.2 K: 3 BB: 2

Notes: Ginn tossed 3 2/3 shutout innings of relief and only surrendered one hit at the Blue Jays on March 29.

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

AVG: .250 AB: 8 H: 2 R: 0 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 1 BB: 0 SB: 0 OPS: .625

Notes: Lowe laced an RBI double against the Pirates on April 1.

JAKE MANGUM – TAMPA BAY RAYS
Pos. OF Height: 5-11 Weight: 191 Bats/Throws: S/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-19

AVG: .211 AB: 19 H: 4 R: 1 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 1 BB: 1 SB: 0 OPS: .513

Notes: Mangum went 2-for-5 with a double at the Mets on March 28.

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

AVG: .133 AB: 30 H: 4 R: 2 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 1 BB: 3 SB: 0 OPS: .345

Notes: Rooker hit a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 10^th inning at the Blue Jays on March 28.

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

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: Westburg is currently on the 60-day injured list with a UCL sprain in his right elbow.

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

Record: 1-0 ERA: 3.60 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 5 K: 6 BB: 0

Notes: Woodruff won his first start of the season logging five innings with six strikeouts and no walks against the Rays on March 31.

DIAMOND DAWGS IN TRIPLE-A

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

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: Bednar was a non-roster invitee to spring training.

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

Record: 0-0 ERA: 0.00 G: 4 GS: 0 SV: 2 IP: 4 K: 7 BB: 0

Notes: Cerantola earned saves in his last two appearances against Buffalo, pitching two shutout innings with three strikeouts and only one baserunner allowed.

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

AVG: .345 AB: 29 H: 10 R: 3 2B: 2 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 2 BB: 2 SB: 0 OPS: .923

Notes: Foscue has a hit in all seven games this season including a 2-for-4 performance with a solo homer at Sugar Land on March 28.

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

Record: 1-0 ERA: 0.00 G: 3 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 5.1 K: 8 BB: 1

Notes: France pitched 2 1/3 perfect innings of relief with four strikeouts to earn a win at Jacksonville on April 1.

K.C. HUNT – DURHAM BULLS (RAYS)
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-22

Record: 0-1 ERA: 11.57 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 21.1 K: 2 BB: 5

Notes: Hunt made his Triple-A debut in a start against Lehigh Valley on March 31 after being traded to Tampa Bay a week prior.

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

AVG: .100 AB: 20 H: 2 R: 3 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 1 BB: 1 SB: 0 OPS: .236

Notes: Ledbetter went 2-for-4 with two singles, a walk and two runs scored at Gwinnett on March 29.

CHRISTIAN MACLEOD – FREE AGENT
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 227 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2020-21

Record: 0-1 ERA: 81.00 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 0.2 K: 2 BB: 3

Notes: MacLeod was released by the Twins organization on April 4.

KONNOR PILKINGTON – TOLEDO MUD HENS (TIGERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-18

Record: 1-0 ERA: 2.08 G: 3 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 4.1 K: 3 BB: 3

Notes: Pilkington pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn a win at Syracuse on April 3.

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

Record: 0-1 ERA: 15.43 G: 3 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 2.1 K: 2 BB: 5

Notes: Walling worked 1 1/3 shutout innings of relief against Toledo on March 27.

DIAMOND DAWGS IN DOUBLE-A

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

Record: 1-0 ERA: 0.00 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 5.2 K: 7 BB: 2

Notes: Cijntje won his first start of the season tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and only surrendering one hit.

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

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: Hardin went 6-5 with a 2.72 ERA, 96 strikeouts and 17 walks across 96 innings last 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: n/a ERA: n/a G: n/a GS: n/a SV: n/a IP: n/a K: n/a BB: n/a

Notes: Harding made eight appearances last season with a 5.03 ERA, 19 strikeouts and 10 walks in 19 2/3 innings but did not factor into a decision.

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

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: James hit .167 with one homer and seven RBIs last season.

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

AVG: .000 AB: 4 H: 0 R: 1 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 0 BB: 3 SB: 0 OPS: .429

Notes: Mershon walked twice against Biloxi on April 3.

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

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: Sims was a non-roster invitee to spring training.

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

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: Smith pitched in the Arizona Fall League and made the American League Fall Stars roster.

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

Record: 0-0 ERA: 0.00 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 4 K: 4 BB: 4

Notes: Stephen struck out four across four scoreless innings in a start against Reading on April 2.

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

Notes: Auger went 3-8 with a 5.12 ERA, 61 strikeouts and 41 walks in 91 1/3 innings last season.

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

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: Dohm went 3-7 with a 3.24 ERA, 90 strikeouts and 32 walks across 75 innings in 2025.

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

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

Notes: Dotson worked a perfect inning of relief with one strikeout against Fresno in the season opener on April 3.

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

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

Notes: Fristoe fired a shutout inning of relief with a pair of strikeouts at Brooklyn on April 4.

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

AVG: .000 AB: 1 H: 0 R: 0 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 0 BB: 0 SB: 0 OPS: .000

Notes: Hines made his professional debut as a pinch hitter against Jersey Shore on April 4.

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

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: Holcombe went 3-11 with a 5.40 ERA, 70 strikeouts and 45 walks in 75 innings last year.

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

AVG: .000 AB: 4 H: 0 R: 0 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 0 BB: 0 SB: 0 OPS: .000

Notes: Hujsak has 45 extra base hits, 74 RBIs and 33 stolen bases during his pro career.

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

AVG: .222 AB: 9 H: 2 R: 1 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 3 BB: 0 SB: 0 OPS: .889

Notes: Jordan hit a three-run homer against Hillsboro on April 4.

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

Record: 1-0 ERA:1.59 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 5.2 K: 8 BB: 2

Notes: Kohn won his professional debut at Brooklyn on April 3, tossing 5 2/3 innings allowing one run on three hits while fanning eight and walking two.

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

Record: 0-0 ERA: 0.00 G: 1 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 4 K: 8 BB: 2

Notes: Ligon struck out eight and only gave up one hit across four innings of relief in his professional debut against Bradenton on April 4 and did not allow an earned run.

AARON NIXON – HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES (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 missed the 2025 season due to injury.

JACOB PRUITT – CLEARWATER THRESHERS (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 was drafted in the 15th round last year.

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

Record: 0-0 ERA: 0.00 G: 1 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 0.1 K: 0 BB: 1

Notes: Schuelke posted a zero on the scoreboard in his 2026 debut against West Michigan on April 3.

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: 2.25 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 4 K: 8 BB: 0

Notes: Siary struck out eight only giving up two hits and no walks in a four-inning start against Columbia on April 2.

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

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: Tanner is on the 60-day injured list.

NATE WILLIAMS – SOUTH BEND 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 was drafted in the 13th round in 2025.

*Combined Minor League Stats

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