#StateToTheShow Update: September 4
September 04, 2026 | Baseball
Mississippi State has produced plenty of professional baseball players over the years and 2026 is no exception.
There are 51 former Diamond Dawgs playing professional baseball this year including eight 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 21 first round draft picks during its storied history including Rooker, Westburg, Justin Foscue, Will Bednar, Landon Sims, Jurrangelo Cijntje and Ace Reese.
HailState.com will have a weekly update on how these former Bulldogs are performing in their baseball journey.
DIAMOND DAWGS IN MLB
JUSTIN FOSCUE – TEXAS RANGERS
Pos. 2B Height: 5-11 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2018-20
AVG: .261 AB: 188 H: 49 R: 22 2B: 10 3B: 1 HR: 11 RBI: 28 BB: 15 SB: 0 OPS: .824
Notes: Foscue launched a solo homer versus the Athletics on Aug. 31 and ripped another one against them two days later.
ADAM FRAZIER – LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Pos. 2B Height: 5-10 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2011-13
AVG: .245 AB: 110 H: 27 R: 18 2B: 7 3B: 1 HR: 1 RBI: 10 BB: 10 SB: 2 OPS: .680
Notes: Frazier is hitting .400 (10-for-25) over his last 15 games.
J.T. GINN – ATHLETICS
Pos. SP Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2019-20
Record: 9-8 ERA: 3.71 G: 27 GS: 24 SV: 0 IP: 138.1 K: 121 BB: 57
Notes: Ginn has posted career highs in wins, ERA, starts, innings and strikeouts this season.
NATHANIEL LOWE – CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Pos. 1B Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2016
AVG: .254 AB: 335 H: 85 R: 34 2B: 21 3B: 0 HR: 15 RBI: 52 BB: 34 SB: 0 OPS: .770
Notes: Lowe homered and drove in three runs against the Royals on Aug. 30.
JAKE MANGUM – PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Pos. OF Height: 5-11 Weight: 191 Bats/Throws: S/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-19
AVG: .288 AB: 379 H: 109 R: 54 2B: 16 3B: 2 HR: 4 RBI: 29 BB: 23 SB: 21 OPS: .718
Notes: Mangum went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and a run scored at the Cardinals on Aug. 29.
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 miss the rest of the 2026 season following 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 – MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 242 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2012-14
Record: 2-2 ERA: 2.98 G: 9 GS: 9 SV: 0 IP: 45.1 K: 47 BB: 10
Notes: Woodruff will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery on his right shoulder.
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: 5-2 ERA: 5.11 G: 34 GS: 1 SV: 1 IP: 56.1 K: 66 BB: 33*
Notes: Bednar made his first start of the season at Reno on Aug. 29.
ERIC CERANTOLA – SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS (GIANTS)
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
MiLB
Record: 1-4 ERA: 3.28 G: 42 GS: 1 SV: 15 IP: 46.2.K: 65 BB: 25
Notes: Cerantola earned a save at Reno on Aug. 30 after tossing a shutout inning of relief with one strikeout.
JURRANGELO CIJNTJE – MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (CARDINALS)
Pos. P Height: 5-11 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: S/S Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 3-9 ERA: 5.38 G: 25 GS: 25 SV: 0 IP: 117 K: 149 BB: 62*
Notes: Cijntje has struck out 80 in 60 innings while holding hitters to a .214 batting average in road games this season.
J.P. FRANCE – EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS (PADRES)
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: 1-3 ERA: 4.34 G: 38 GS: 1 SV: 1 IP: 45.2 K: 45 BB: 32
Notes: France pitched an inning of relief against Las Vegas on Sept. 1 without giving up any earned runs and striking out one.
TYSON HARDIN – NASHVILLE SOUNDS (BREWERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 185 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 4-7 ERA: 5.59 G: 25 GS: 24 SV: 0 IP: 112.2 K: 132 BB: 36*
Notes: Hardin picked up a win after four innings of relief and five strikeouts at Jacksonville on Aug. 29.
HOUSTON HARDING – FREE AGENT
Pos: RP Height: 6-1 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2020-21
Record: 2-1 ERA: 6.97 G: 25 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 51.2 K: 29 BB: 35*
Notes: Harding was released by the Angels organization on Aug. 3.
COLTON LEDBETTER – MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (CARDINALS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2023
AVG: .272 AB: 368 H: 100 R: 67 2B: 20 3B: 3 HR: 11 RBI: 50 BB: 36 SB: 25 OPS: .770
Notes: Ledbetter went 2-for-4 with a double, RBI, stolen base and run scored at Charlotte on Aug. 29.
CHRISTIAN MACLEOD – JACKSONVILLE JUMBO SHRIMP (MARLINS)
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 227 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2020-21
Record: 2-1 ERA: 5.30 G: 24 GS: 4 SV: 0 IP: 37.1 K: 38 BB: 36*
Notes: MacLeod tossed a perfect inning of relief with a pair of strikeouts at Norfolk on Sept. 2.
KONNOR PILKINGTON – FREE AGENT
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-18
Record: 2-5 ERA: 4.57 G: 31 GS: 5 SV: 1 IP: 41.1 K: 35 BB: 36
Notes: Pilkington was released by the Nationals organization on Aug. 5.
LANDON SIMS – RENO ACES (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 227 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22
Record: 2-5 ERA: 5.03 G: 46 GS: 0 SV: 9 IP: 53.2 K: 43 BB: 27*
Notes: Sims is limiting batters to a .178 average with runners in scoring position this year.
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 60-day injured list.
DIAMOND DAWGS IN DOUBLE-A
TYLER DAVIS – PORTLAND SEA DOGS (RED SOX)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 2-3 ERA: 5.79 G: 23 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 42 K: 43 BB: 16*
Notes: Davis has held hitters to a .204 batting average with runners in scoring position this year.
CONNOR HUJSAK – MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (RAYS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
AVG: .288 AB: 441 H: 127 R: 78 2B: 28 3B: 3 HR: 28 RBI: 87 BB: 19 SB: 25 OPS: .873*
Notes: Hujsak went 2-for-5 with an RBI double at Rocket City on Sept. 3.
K.C. HUNT – MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (RAYS)
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-22
Record: 3-3 ERA: 4.98 G: 25 GS: 5 SV: 1 IP: 65 K: 54 BB: 43*
Notes: Hunt kept hitters to a .213 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: .232 AB: 164 H: 38 R: 28 2B: 8 3B: 2 HR: 7 RBI: 25 BB: 19 SB: 3 OPS: .752
Notes: James went 2-for-3 with a triple, single, walk, two RBIs and two runs scored at Rocket City on Sept. 1.
PRESTON JOHNSON – WICHITA WIND SURGE (TWINS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-22
Record: 1-3 ERA: 3.94 G: 21 GS: 15 SV: 0 IP: 77.2 K: 95 BB: 26
Notes: Johnson struck out 31 batters in 25 innings during the month of August with a 1.44 ERA and held hitters to a .123 batting average.
DAKOTA JORDAN – RICHMOND FLYING SQUIRRELS (GIANTS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-0 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
AVG: .290 AB: 372 H: 108 R: 61 2B: 27 3B: 1 HR: 19 RBI: 72 BB: 34 SB: 21 OPS: .872*
Notes: Jordan hit a solo homer against Portland on Aug. 29, his first at the Double-A level.
CADE SMITH – SOMERSET PATRIOTS (YANKEES)
Pos. SP Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-23
Record: 7-8 ERA: 5.01 G: 23 GS: 22 SV: 0 IP: 115 K: 109 BB: 48
Notes: Smith limited batters to a .210 average during August.
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 60-day injured list.
DREW WYERS – CORPUS CHRISTI HOOKS (ASTROS)
Pos. SS Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2026
AVG: .333 AB: 3 H: 1 R: 1 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 1 BB: 0 SB: 0 OPS: .583
Notes: Wyers 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: 3.54 G: 16 GS: 16 SV: 0 IP: 56 K: 80 BB: 27
Notes: Auger has struck out 10 and only surrendered two hits in his last two starts.
BLAKE BEVIS – ACL CUBS (CUBS)
Pos. 1B Height: 6-4 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2026
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: Bevis signed with the Cubs as an undrafted free agent.
BRYCE CHANCE – VANCOUVER CANADIANS (BLUE JAYS)
Pos. OF Height: 5-10 Weight: 180 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-26
AVG: .259 AB: 81 H: 21 R: 14 2B: 4 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 11 BB: 12 SB: 4 OPS: .660
Notes: Chance doubled against Spokane on Aug. 30.
BEN DAVIS – FRESNO GRIZZLIES (ROCKIES)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2025-26
Record: 1-0 ERA: 3.60 G: 5 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 5 K: 6 BB: 2
Notes: Davis worked an inning of relief with a strikeout and allowed no earned runs at Inland Empire on Aug. 29.
NATE DOHM – PEORIA CHIEFS (CARDINALS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 2-6 ERA: 7.10 G: 23 GS: 13 SV: 0 IP: 58.1 K: 64 BB: 39
Notes: Dohm is 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings and holding hitters to a .213 batting average as a reliever in 2026.
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: 3.12 G: 33 GS: 0 SV: 4 IP: 43.1 K: 64 BB: 15*
Notes: Dotson tossed two shutout innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts at Eugene on Sept. 3.
JACKSON FRISTOE – FREE AGENT
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-23
Record: 2-3 ERA: 9.60 G: 16 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 15 K: 13 BB: 18
Notes: Fristoe was released by the Yankees organization on Aug. 6.
HUNTER HINES – FREDERICKSBURG NATIONALS (NATIONALS)
Pos. 1B Height: 6-3 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2022-25
AVG: .245 AB: 318 H: 78 R: 50 2B: 18 3B: 2 HR: 18 RBI: 65 BB: 33 SB: 1 OPS: .803*
Notes: Hines has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games including three doubles, three homers and 11 RBIs during that span.
COLBY HOLCOMBE – VANCOUVER CANADIANS (BLUE JAYS)
Pos: P Height: 6-6 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 2-1 ERA: 8.68 G: 16 GS: 4 SV: 0 IP: 28 K: 23 BB: 20*
Notes: Holcombe is 2-0 with a 3.07 ERA and limiting hitters to a .180 batting average at home in 2026.
PICO KOHN – HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES (YANKEES)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2022, 2024-25
Record: 1-2 ERA:1.99 G: 6 GS: 5 SV: 0 IP: 22.2 K: 31 BB: 12
Notes: Kohn has held hitters to a .175 batting average this season.
KARSON LIGON – DUNEDIN BLUE JAYS (BLUE JAYS)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2024-25
Record: 0-3 ERA: 9.15 G: 9 GS: 7 SV: 0 IP: 19.2 K: 24 BB: 17
Notes: Ligon is holding hitters to a .182 batting average at home in 2026.
DAVID MERSHON – TRI-CITY DUST DEVILS (ANGELS)
Pos. SS Height: 5-7 Weight: 175 Bats/Throws: S/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
AVG: .222 AB: 243 H: 54 R: 44 2B: 5 3B: 1 HR: 2 RBI: 21 BB: 33 SB: 23 OPS: .601*
Notes: Mershon singled, drove in two runs, swiped a base and scored twice against Vancouver on Sept. 3.
AARON NIXON – GREENVILLE DRIVE (RED SOX)
Pos. RP Height: 6-0 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023
Record: 2-2 ERA: 7.89 G: 21 GS: 0 SV: 2 IP: 21.2 K: 25 BB: 14
Notes: Nixon has notched a save in each of his last two appearances, tossing a combined 2 2/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
TYLER PITZER – LAKE ELSINORE STORM (PADRES)
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2026
Record: 0-0 ERA: 9.00 G: 1 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 1 K: 2 BB: 2
Notes: Pitzer was promoted to Lake Elsinore on Sept. 1. He earned a save in his professional debut the following day against Inland Empire, striking out two in one inning of work.
JACOB PRUITT – CLEARWATER THRESHERS (PHILLIES)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 185 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2025
Record: 3-2 ERA: 5.18 G: 28 GS: 1 SV: 1 IP: 41.2 K: 49 BB: 29
Notes: Pruitt is limiting batters to a .188 average during day games this season.
ACE REESE – INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (MARINERS)
Pos. 3B Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2025-26
AVG: .425 AB: 73 H: 31 R: 20 2B: 7 3B: 0 HR: 3 RBI: 18 BB: 18 SB: 2 OPS: 1.165
Notes: Reese went 7-for-11 with a double, homer, four RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base against Lake Elsinore on Sept. 1-2.
CAM SCHUELKE – LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS (GUARDIANS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2024
Record: 5-3 ERA: 3.86 G: 38 GS: 0 SV: 4 IP: 58.1 K: 50 BB: 38
Notes: Schuelke pitched two perfect innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts to pickup a win against Great Lakes on Sept. 1.
EVAN SIARY – HICKORY CRAWDADS (RANGERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-25
Record: 7-3 ERA: 3.30 G: 22 GS: 22 SV: 0 IP: 109 K: 98 BB: 24
Notes: Siary has limited right-handers to a .214 batting average and just one home run against him this year.
REED STALLMAN – ST. LUCIE METS (METS)
Pos. 1B Height: 6-3 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2025-26
AVG: .255 AB: 51 H: 13 R: 3 2B: 4 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 1 BB: 7 SB: 0 OPS: .678
Notes: Stallman has drawn a walk in four consecutive games.
BRENDAN SWEENEY – CLEARWATER THRESHERS (PHILLIES)
Pos. P Height: 6-7 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2026
Record: 0-0 ERA: 9.00 G: 2 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 2 K: 2 BB: 1
Notes: Sweeney tossed a perfect inning of relief with one strikeout against Fort Myers on Sept. 3.
LOGAN TANNER – DAYTONA TORTUGAS (REDS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22
Record: 2-0 ERA: 4.82 G: 12 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 18.2 K: 26 BB: 9*
Notes: Tanner threw 2 2/3 shutout innings with one strikeout at Palm Beach on Sept. 1.
AIDAN TEEL – FORT MYERS MIGHTY MUSSELS (TWINS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-0 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2026
AVG: .238 AB: 63 H: 15 R: 6 2B: 5 3B: 1 HR: 0 RBI: 9 BB: 12 SB: 5 OPS: .713
Notes: Teel is hitting .364 during day games in 2026.
NATE WILLIAMS – SOUTH BEND CUBS (CUBS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2025
Record: 5-0 ERA: 6.37 G: 28 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 41 K: 51 BB: 22
Notes: Williams came off the injured list on Sept. 1 and threw 1 2/3 shutout innings with two strikeouts to earn a win against Cedar Rapids later that day.
*Combined Minor League Stats
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