Diamond Dog Trio Inks Pro Contracts
STARKVILLE, Miss. - The three Mississippi State baseball players selected last week in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft have signed contracts and are positioned to begin their careers in professional baseball this weekend.
First baseman Connor Powers of Naperville, Ill., taken by San Diego in the 21st round draft, has been assigned to the Padres' Northwest League franchise in Eugene, Ore. Infielder Jet Butler from Pensacola, Fla., drafted in the 26th round by the New York Mets, has reported to the Brooklyn (N.Y.) Cyclones, where he will begin his career in the New York-Penn League. Pitcher Tyler Whitney of Lakeland, Tenn., tabbed in the 34th round by the Seattle Mariners, has been assigned to the Everett (Wash.) AquaSox and will, like Powers, begin his professional baseball career in the Northwest League.
Both the Northwest League and the New York-Penn League begin competition Friday.
Also set to begin his professional baseball career this weekend is Mississippi State signee and former Meridian Community College outfielder Corey Dickerson. Dickerson inked with MSU last November but recently signed a pro baseball contract after being selected in the eighth round by the Colorado Rockies. He has been assigned to the Casper (Wyo.) Ghosts of the Pioneer League.