#StateToTheShow Update: April 25

Photo by: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

#StateToTheShow Update: April 25

April 25, 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 has produced 71 Major Leaguers 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

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

AVG: .256 AB: 39 H: 10 R: 10 2B: 1 3B: 1 HR: 1 RBI: 4 BB: 6 SB: 0 OPS: .780

Notes: Frazier went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple against the Padres on April 17.

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

Record: 0-0 ERA: 3.74 G: 6 GS: 3 SV: 0 IP: 21.2 K: 17 BB: 8

Notes: Ginn has limited hitters to a .195 batting average against him this season.

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

AVG: .257 AB: 35 H: 9 R: 4 2B: 3 3B: 0 HR: 2 RBI: 8 BB: 4 SB: 0 OPS: .847

Notes: Lowe went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBIs including a walk-off two-run blast against the Tigers on April 24.

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

AVG: .294 AB: 51 H: 15 R: 11 2B: 2 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 2 BB: 5 SB: 3 OPS: .690

Notes: Mangum is hitting .444 (8-for-18) with a double, two walks, two steals and an RBI over his last seven games.

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 was placed on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain on April 10.

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: 2-1 ERA: 3.77 G: 5 GS: 5 SV: 0 IP: 28.2 K: 23 BB: 6

Notes: Woodruff picked up a win following a seven-inning start at the Marlins on April 18 in which he only gave up one run on three hits while fanning four and walking one.

DIAMOND DAWGS IN TRIPLE-A

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: 9 GS: 0 SV: 5 IP: 10 K: 15 BB: 4

Notes: Cerantola picked up a save against Indianapolis on April 19 after pitching a scoreless inning with one strikeout.

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

AVG: .300 AB: 90 H: 27 R: 14 2B: 8 3B: 0 HR: 2 RBI: 11 BB: 12 SB: 1 OPS: .841

Notes: Foscue walked and doubled at Sugar Land on April 24.

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: 1-0 ERA: 1.59 G: 4 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 5.2 K: 9 BB: 4

Notes: France was designated for assingment by the Astros on April 18 and sent down to Triple-A two days later.

HOUSTON HARDING – SALT LAKE BEES (ANGELS)
Pos: RP Height: 6-1 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2020-21

Record: 0-0 ERA: 9.00 G: 4 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 9 K: 6 BB: 7*

Notes: Harding is holding hitters to a .182 batting average with runners in scoring position this season.

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

Record: 1-2 ERA: 8.36 G: 4 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 14 K: 11 BB: 10

Notes: Hunt has limited batters to a .118 average on the road this spring.

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

AVG: .141 AB: 78 H: 11 R: 10 2B: 1 3B: 1 HR: 1 RBI: 4 BB: 5 SB: 3 OPS: .418

Notes: Ledbetter singled against Gwinnett on April 19.

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: 0.79 G: 8 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 11.1 K: 10 BB: 8

Notes: Pilkington pitched two shutout and no-hit innings of relief with three strikeouts against Omaha on April 21.

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: 8.59 G: 8 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 7.1 K: 10 BB: 11

Notes: Walling worked a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts against Durham on April 23.

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: 2-0 ERA: 1.42 G: 4 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 6.1 K: 8 BB: 3*

Notes: Bednar pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings of releif against Somerset with a pair of punchouts on April 22.

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

Record: 1-1 ERA: 5.50 G: 4 GS: 4 SV: 0 IP: 18 K: 20 BB: 12

Notes: Cijntje is holding right-handed hitters to a .167 batting average in 2026.

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: 6.19 G: 4 GS: 4 SV: 0 IP: 16 K: 28 BB: 6

Notes: Hardin struck out nine and only walked one in a four-inning start against Rocket City on April 23.

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

AVG: .100 AB: 10 H: 1 R: 1 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 0 BB: 2 SB: 0 OPS: .450

Notes: James walked, doubled and scored a run at Chattanooga on April 19.

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

Record: 1-1 ERA: 4.35 G: 8 GS: 0 SV: 3 IP: 10.1 K: 9 BB: 5

Notes: Sims has collected a save in each of his last three outings.

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

Record: 0-1 ERA: 7.11 G: 3 GS: 3 SV: 0 IP: 12.2 K: 17 BB: 7

Notes: Smith has limited opposing batters to a .143 average during day games this season.

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

Record: 1-2 ERA: 1.53 G: 4 GS: 4 SV: 0 IP: 17.2 K: 20 BB: 13

Notes: Stephen is holding hitters to a .200 batting average against him 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: 0-0 ERA: 0.00 G: 1 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 2 K: 5 BB: 1

Notes: Auger was activated from the injured list on April 23 and struck out five in two shutout innings in a start at Beloit the following day.

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

Record: 0-0 ERA: 4.50 G: 2 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 4 K: 6 BB: 4

Notes: Dohm has limited hitters to a .167 batting average on the road this year.

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: 2.57 G: 5 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 7 K: 12 BB: 0

Notes: Dotson has held batters to a .214 average this season.

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

Record: 1-1 ERA: 9.64 G: 5 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 4.2 K: 5 BB: 5

Notes: Fristoe earned his first win of the year at Frederick on April 19, working 1 2/3 no-hit innings without allowing an earned run and striking out two.

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

AVG: .179 AB: 39 H: 7 R: 2 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 7 BB: 2 SB: 0 OPS: .502

Notes: Hines went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, a walk and two RBIs against Hub City on April 17.

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 was placed on the 60-day injured list on April 22 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: .206 AB: 63 H: 13 R: 12 2B: 4 3B: 0 HR: 5 RBI: 10 BB: 2 SB: 3 OPS: .735

Notes: Hujsak went 4-for-5 with a double, home run and two RBIs at Greenville on April 17.

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

AVG: .333 AB: 72 H: 24 R: 14 2B: 6 3B: 0 HR: 3 RBI: 19 BB: 8 SB: 5 OPS: .932

Notes: Jordan homered in back-to-back games against Everett on April 18-19 and is riding a seven game hitting streak.

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 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: 202 4-25

Record: 0-1 ERA: 4.76 G: 2 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 5.2 K: 9 BB: 5

Notes: Ligon was placed on the 7-day injured list on April 19.

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

AVG: .103 AB: 29 H: 3 R: 8 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 3 BB: 5 SB: 2 OPS: .325

Notes: Mershon was sent down to the Angels rookie affiliate on April 21.

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: 2-0 ERA: 1.50 G: 4 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 6 K: 8 BB: 1

Notes: Pruitt picked up a win against Bradenton on April 21 after tossing two shutout innings of relief with no walks and two strikeouts.

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: 1.13 G: 6 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 8 K: 7 BB: 2

Notes: Schuelke is perfect over his last three innings of work with two strikeouts and spanning two appearances.

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: 4.24 G: 4 GS: 4 SV: 0 IP: 17 K: 15 BB: 5

Notes: Siary is limiting batters to a .210 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: 1-0 ERA: 9.82 G: 6 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 7.1 K: 10 BB: 6

Notes: Williams picked up his first pro win at Dayton on April 23, working 1 1/3 innings of relief with three strikeouts.

*Combined Minor League Stats

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