#StateToTheShow Update: April 11

Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher J.P. France delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the second inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

#StateToTheShow Update: April 11

April 11, 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 eight 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 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

J.P. FRANCE – HOUSTON ASTROS
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 198 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2018

Record: 0-0 ERA: 13.50 G: 1 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 2.2 K: 3 BB: 4

Notes: France was called back up on April 10 and pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief at the Mariners that night.

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

AVG: .308 AB: 13 H: 4 R: 4 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 2 BB: 5 SB: 0 OPS: .885

Notes: Frazier went 3-for-4 with a double and one RBI against the Mariners on April 5.

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

Record: 0-0 ERA: 3.27 G: 4 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 11 K: 8 BB: 3

Notes: Ginn made his first start of the season at the Mets on April 10 and fired four shutout innings only allowing one hit and fanned four.

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

AVG: .214 AB: 14 H: 3 R: 0 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 2 BB: 0 SB: 0 OPS: .553

Notes: Lowe delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 10th at the Marlins on April 7.

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

AVG: .214 AB: 28 H: 6 R: 4 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 1 BB: 2 SB: 1 OPS: .517

Notes: Mangum had a pinch hit RBI single and stole a base against the Padres on April 7.

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

AVG: .146 AB: 41 H: 6 R: 4 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 2 RBI: 8 BB: 6 SB: 2 OPS: .538

Notes: Rooker went 2-for-4 with a walk, six RBIs and a pair of home runs - including a walk-off three-run blast in the 10th inning - against the Astros on April 5. He was placed on the 10-day IL five days later with an oblique strain.

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: 5.91 G: 2 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 10.2 K: 10 BB: 2

Notes: Woodruff has racked up 881 strikeouts and held hitters to a .213 batting average against him throughout his career.

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: 2-0 ERA: 0.00 G: 2 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 3 K: 4 BB: 1

Notes: Bednar earned a win after a scoreless and hitless inning of relief with three strikeouts at Salt Lake on April 5 and earned another victory after two innings against Las Vegas three days later.

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

Record: 1-0 ERA: 0.00 G: 6 GS: 0 SV: 3 IP: 6.1 K: 12 BB: 2

Notes: Cerantola picked up a save against Buffalo on April 5 and followed up with a win at Iowa five days later after firing two shutout and hitless innings with five strikeouts.

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

AVG: .314 AB: 51 H: 16 R: 5 2B: 5 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 4 BB: 3 SB: 1 OPS: .835

Notes: Foscue went 3-for-6 with a double and two RBIs at Oklahoma City on April 9.

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

Record: 0-2 ERA: 10.80 G: 2 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 5 K: 5 BB: 7

Notes: Hunt made his first relief appearance in Triple-A against Lehigh Valley on April 5.

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

AVG: .132 AB: 38 H: 5 R: 6 2B: 0 3B: 1 HR: 1 RBI: 4 BB: 3 SB: 1 OPS: .472

Notes: Ledbetter hit a three-run homer at Charlotte on April 10.

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: 1.17 G: 5 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 7.2 K: 6 BB: 5

Notes: Pilkington pitched two scoreless innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts and no walks against St. Paul on April 10.

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: 12.00 G: 4 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 3 K: 4 BB: 7

Notes: Walling worked 2/3 inning with two strikeouts and did not allow a run against Rochester on April 7.

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: 6.23 G: 2 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 8.2 K: 11 BB: 7

Notes: Cijntje is holding hitters to a .219 batting average so far this season.

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

Record: 0-1 ERA: 15.00 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 3 K: 5 BB: 2

Notes: Hardin recorded his 100th career strikeout in his 2026 debut at Rocket City on April 5.

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: 13.50 G: 2 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 4 K: 4 BB: 2

Notes: Harding is holding left-handed hitters to a .167 batting average this season.

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

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

Notes: James started in left field against Columbus on April 8.

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

AVG: .071 AB: 14 H: 1 R: 4 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 2 BB: 4 SB: 1 OPS: .334

Notes: Mershon singled and scored two runs at Knoxville on April 8.

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

Record: 0-1 ERA: 6.00 G: 2 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 3 K: 3 BB: 3

Notes: Sims has 173 strikeouts and 14 saves over his career.

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

Record: 0-0 ERA: 4.15 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 4.1 K: 5 BB: 3

Notes: Smith only surrendered two hits and limited batters to a .143 average during his first start at Binghamton on April 9.

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

Record: 0-1 ERA: 1.17 G: 2 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 7.2 K: 9 BB: 6

Notes: Stephen has held hitters to a .167 batting average at home this spring.

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 is on the 7-day injured list.

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: 3 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 3 K: 5 BB: 0

Notes: Dotson pitched a perfect inning of relief with a pair of strikeouts at San Jose on April 8.

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

Record: 0-1 ERA: 27.00 G: 2 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 1 K: 2 BB: 3

Notes: Fristoe has limited hitters to a .208 batting average over the course of his career.

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: 14 H: 0 R: 0 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 0 BB: 1 SB: 0 OPS: .067

Notes: Hines drew a walk at Hudson Valley on April 7.

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: 10.13 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 2.2 K: 3 BB: 1

Notes: Holcombe made his first start of the season at Tri-City on April 5.

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

AVG: .083 AB: 24 H: 2 R: 2 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 2 BB: 2 SB: 0 OPS: .362

Notes: Hujsak hit a solo homer against Rome on April 9.

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

AVG: .269 AB: 26 H: 7 R: 2 2B: 5 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 5 BB: 1 SB: 0 OPS: .863

Notes: Jordan went 3-for-5 with three doubles at Vancouver on April 8.

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 is currently on the 7-day injured list.

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.

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 is currently on the 7-day injured list.

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

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

Notes: Pruitt pitched a perfect inning of relief with one strikeout in his professional debut against Tampa on April 8.

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: 2 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 1.2 K: 2 BB: 1

Notes: Schuelke worked 1 1/3 perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts at Dayton on April 8.

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: 2 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 8 K: 11 BB: 1

Notes: Siary is limiting batters to a .194 average so far this season.

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: 0-0 ERA: 20.25 G: 1 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 1.1 K: 2 BB: 2

Notes: Williams made his professional debut at Peoria on April 7 and recorded a pair of punchouts in 1 1/3 innings of relief.

*Combined Minor League Stats

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