#StateToTheShow Update: July 3
July 03, 2026 | Baseball
Mississippi State has produced plenty of professional baseball players over the years and 2026 is no exception.
There are 42 former Diamond Dawgs playing professional baseball this year including nine current big leaguers. Among those in the majors are All-Stars Adam Frazier, Brent Rooker (2x), Jordan Westburg and Brandon Woodruff (2x) and World Series champion Nathaniel Lowe.
MSU has produced 72 Major Leaguers, 13 MLB All-Stars (30 selections), seven World Series champions and 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
ERIC CERANTOLA – KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Pos. P Height: 6-5 Weight: 225 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2019-21
MLB
Record: 0-0 ERA: 10.13 G: 4 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 5.1.K: 7 BB: 10
Notes: Cerantola was recalled on June 27 and pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief against the Rays three days later. He was designated for assignment on July 2.
JUSTIN FOSCUE – TEXAS RANGERS
Pos. 2B Height: 5-11 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2018-20
AVG: .269 AB: 93 H: 25 R: 12 2B: 6 3B: 0 HR: 5 RBI: 15 BB: 9 SB: 0 OPS: .838
Notes: Foscue went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs at the Blue Jays on June 26.
ADAM FRAZIER – LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Pos. 2B Height: 5-10 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2011-13
AVG: .210 AB: 81 H: 17 R: 15 2B: 5 3B: 1 HR: 1 RBI: 6 BB: 9 SB: 0 OPS: .630
Notes: Frazier is currently on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his right elbow.
J.T. GINN – ATHLETICS
Pos. SP Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2019-20
Record: 7-4 ERA: 3.04 G: 19 GS: 16 SV: 0 IP: 94.2 K: 82 BB: 41
Notes: Ginn is 5-1 with a 2.85 ERA and 34 strikeouts over his last seven starts.
NATHANIEL LOWE – CINCINNATI REDS
Pos. 1B Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2016
AVG: .253 AB: 186 H: 47 R: 20 2B: 13 3B: 0 HR: 9 RBI: 25 BB: 25 SB: 0 OPS: .809
Notes: Lowe doubled and scored a run at the Pirates on June 26 and notched another two-bagger at the Brewers four days later.
JAKE MANGUM – PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Pos. OF Height: 5-11 Weight: 191 Bats/Throws: S/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-19
AVG: .310 AB: 197 H: 61 R: 27 2B: 9 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 14 BB: 12 SB: 14 OPS: .728
Notes: Mangum is hitting .362 (38-for-105) with eight stolen bases over the last 30 games.
BRENT ROOKER – ATHLETICS
Pos. OF Height: 6-3 Weight: 225 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2014-17
AVG: .200 AB: 180 H: 36 R: 20 2B: 4 3B: 0 HR: 10 RBI: 29 BB: 19 SB: 2 OPS: .670
Notes: Rooker will undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee.
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 underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-May and will miss the 2026 season.
BRANDON WOODRUFF – MILKWAUKEE BREWERS
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 242 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2012-14
Record: 2-1 ERA: 2.59 G: 8 GS: 8 SV: 0 IP: 41.2 K: 41 BB: 9
Notes: Woodruff has only allowed two hits in his last two starts, logging 11 2/3 shutout innings and striking out 16 over that span.
DIAMOND DAWGS IN TRIPLE-A
J.P. FRANCE – SUGAR LAND SPACE COWBOYS (ASTROS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 198 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2018
MLB
Record: 0-0 ERA: 8.10 G: 3 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 6.2 K: 4 BB: 5
MiLB
Record: 1-2 ERA: 4.06 G: 22 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 31 K: 30 BB: 22
Notes: France worked a scoreless inning of relief at Oklahoma City on July 1.
TYSON HARDIN – NASHVILLE SOUNDS (BREWERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 185 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 3-4 ERA: 5.17 G: 16 GS: 16 SV: 0 IP: 78.1 K: 93 BB: 27*
Notes: Hardin is 3-1 with a 3.67 ERA, 50 strikeouts and has held hitters to a .229 batting average since being promoted to Triple-A.
HOUSTON HARDING – SALT LAKE BEES (ANGELS)
Pos: RP Height: 6-1 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2020-21
Record: 2-1 ERA: 8.05 G: 18 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 38 K: 24 BB: 23*
Notes: Harding was 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA and only surrendered one run in 9 1/3 innings of work during the month of June.
COLTON LEDBETTER – MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (CARDINALS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2023
AVG: .221 AB: 222 H: 49 R: 33 2B: 6 3B: 3 HR: 5 RBI: 27 BB: 20 SB: 11 OPS: .638
Notes: Ledbetter went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles at Jacksonville on June 28.
KONNOR PILKINGTON – ROCHESTER RED WINGS (NATIONALS)
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-18
Record: 1-5 ERA: 5.40 G: 23 GS: 3 SV: 1 IP: 33.1 K: 30 BB: 28
Notes: Pilkington was signed by the Washington Nationals on July 2.
LANDON SIMS – RENO ACES (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 227 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22
Record: 1-4 ERA: 4.46 G: 28 GS: 0 SV: 9 IP: 34.1 K: 32 BB: 18*
Notes: Sims struck out three across two shutout innings of relief and only allowed one hit at Tacoma on June 30.
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: 9.58 G: 11 GS: 1 SV: 1 IP: 10.1 K: 16 BB: 15
Notes: Walling is currently on the 7-day injured list.
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: 4-0 ERA: 4.05 G: 21 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 33.1 K: 43 BB: 23*
Notes: Bednar held hitters to a .128 batting average with 18 strikeouts across 12 2/3 innings during June.
JURRANGELO CIJNTJE – SPRINGFIELD CARDINALS (CARDINALS)
Pos. P Height: 5-11 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: S/S Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 3-4 ERA: 5.66 G: 15 GS: 15 SV: 0 IP: 68.1 K: 83 BB: 36
Notes: Cijntje has limited opposing hitters to a .190 batting average during night games this year.
KAMREN JAMES – MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (RAYS)
Pos. SS Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22
AVG: .225 AB: 102 H: 23 R: 17 2B: 4 3B: 1 HR: 5 RBI: 13 BB: 12 SB: 1 OPS: .744
Notes: James singled against Biloxi on June 27.
PRESTON JOHNSON – WICHITA WIND SURGE (TWINS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-22
Record: 0-3 ERA: 5.08 G: 10 GS: 7 SV: 0 IP: 33.2 K: 41 BB: 13
Notes: Johnson struck out eight while tossing four shutout and no-hit innings in a start at Midland on June 27.
CHRISTIAN MACLEOD – PENSACOLA BLUE WAHOOS (MARLINS)
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 227 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2020-21
Record: 1-1 ERA: 8.04 G: 12 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 15.2 K: 19 BB: 15*
Notes: MacLeod pitched a scoreless inning of relief with one strikeout at Rocket City on June 30.
CADE SMITH – SOMERSET PATRIOTS (YANKEES)
Pos. SP Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-23
Record: 5-4 ERA: 4.62 G: 13 GS: 12 SV: 0 IP: 64.1 K: 63 BB: 29
Notes: Smith earned a win in a six-inning start against Hartford on June 30, striking out four and allowing only one run.
KHAL STEPHEN – AKRON RUBBERDUCKS (GUARDIANS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2024
Record: 3-2 ERA: 3.44 G: 12 GS: 12 SV: 0 IP: 55 K: 49 BB: 23
Notes: Stephen is currently on the 7-day injured list.
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: 1-1 ERA: 2.19 G: 10 GS: 10 SV: 0 IP: 37 K: 53 BB: 17
Notes: Auger picked up a win after a 5 2/3 inning start at Lansing on June 27, giving up just one run and scattering three hits.
TYLER DAVIS – GREENVILLE DRIVE (RED SOX)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 1-1 ERA: 7.27 G: 6 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 8.2 K: 11 BB: 3
Notes: Davis has worked three straight scoreless appearances out of the bullpen.
NATE DOHM – PEORIA CHIEFS (CARDINALS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 1-4 ERA: 7.47 G: 13 GS: 10 SV: 0 IP: 37.1 K: 39 BB: 25
Notes: Dohm has not allowed a run over his last 9 1/3 innings of work.
LUKE DOTSON – HILLSBORO HOPS (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2024-25
Record: 2-1 ERA: 2.88 G: 20 GS: 0 SV: 4 IP: 25 K: 37 BB: 6*
Notes: Dotson worked 2/3 of an inning of scoreless relief with a strikeout against Vancouver on June 27.
JACKSON FRISTOE – HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES (YANKEES)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-23
Record: 2-2 ERA: 6.59 G: 14 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 13.2 K: 13 BB: 13
Notes: Fristoe is currently on the 7-day injured list.
HUNTER HINES – FREDERICKSBURG NATIONALS (NATIONALS)
Pos. 1B Height: 6-3 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2022-25
AVG: .222 AB: 176 H: 39 R: 26 2B: 8 3B: 0 HR: 9 RBI: 33 BB: 17 SB: 1 OPS: .711*
Notes: Hines went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and three RBIs at Columbia on June 30 as part of a three homer week.
COLBY HOLCOMBE – VANCOUVER CANADIANS (BLUE JAYS)
Pos: P Height: 6-6 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 0-0 ERA: 6.75 G: 2 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 5.1 K: 5 BB: 5
Notes: Holcombe is currently on the 60-day injured list with a left oblique strain.
CONNOR HUJSAK – BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS (RAYS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
AVG: .312 AB: 263 H: 82 R: 51 2B: 18 3B: 1 HR: 18 RBI: 61 BB: 10 SB: 15 OPS: .926*
Notes: Hujsak hit .345 with eight doubles, one triple, three homers, 17 RBIs and two steals during the month of June.
K.C. HUNT – BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS (RAYS)
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-22
Record: 2-2 ERA: 6.40 G: 15 GS: 2 SV: 1 IP: 32.1 K: 25 BB: 27*
Notes: Hunt was assigned to High-A on June 30.
DAKOTA JORDAN – EUGENE EMERALDS (GIANTS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-0 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
AVG: .274 AB: 288 H: 79 R: 41 2B: 18 3B: 1 HR: 13 RBI: 56 BB: 27 SB: 15 OPS: .813
Notes: Jordan has homered in three consecutive games and was also selected to play in the 2026 All-Star Futures Game.
PICO KOHN – HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES (YANKEES)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2022, 2024-25
Record: 1-0 ERA:1.59 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 5.2 K: 8 BB: 2
Notes: Kohn is currently on the 60-day injured list.
KARSON LIGON – DUNEDIN BLUE JAYS (BLUE JAYS)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2024-25
Record: 0-1 ERA: 4.50 G: 4 GS: 3 SV: 0 IP: 12 K: 17 BB: 8
Notes: Ligon is currently on the 7-day injured list.
DAVID MERSHON – TRI-CITY DUST DEVILS (ANGELS)
Pos. SS Height: 5-7 Weight: 175 Bats/Throws: S/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
AVG: .179 AB: 145 H: 26 R: 23 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 9 BB: 22 SB: 11 OPS: .508*
Notes: Mershon went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, one walk and a steal at Everett on July 2.
AARON NIXON – HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES (YANKEES)
Pos. RP Height: 6-0 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023
Record: 0-0 ERA: 8.18 G: 11 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 11 K: 11 BB: 9
Notes: Nixon pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts against Wilmington on June 30.
JACOB PRUITT – CLEARWATER THRESHERS (PHILLIES)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 185 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2025
Record: 3-1 ERA: 3.46 G: 17 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 26 K: 33 BB: 15
Notes: Pruitt has limited hitters to a .188 batting average at home this year.
CAM SCHUELKE – LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS (GUARDIANS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2024
Record: 2-3 ERA: 3.82 G: 23 GS: 0 SV: 2 IP: 33 K: 30 BB: 21
Notes: Schuelke has limited opposing batters to a .188 average during day games this season.
EVAN SIARY – HICKORY CRAWDADS (RANGERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-25
Record: 2-2 ERA: 3.94 G: 13 GS: 13 SV: 0 IP: 61.2 K: 46 BB: 14
Notes: Siary has held hitters to a .188 average when he gets ahead in the count.
LOGAN TANNER – DAYTON DRAGONS (REDS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 215 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: Tanner is currently 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: 2025
Record: 1-0 ERA: 5.96 G: 16 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 22.2 K: 28 BB: 11
Notes: Williams has held left-handed hitters to a .184 batting average against him.
*Combined Minor League Stats
Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateBB' on X, Facebook and Instagram.
