#StateToTheShow Update: May 23

Photo by: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

#StateToTheShow Update: May 23

May 23, 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 41 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 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

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

AVG: .351 AB: 37 H: 13 R: 5 2B: 3 3B: 0 HR: 2 RBI: 7 BB: 2 SB: 0 OPS: .985

Notes: Foscue is hitting .423 over his last seven games including a 3-for-3 performance with two doubles, a home run, three RBIs and a walk at the Rockies on May 18

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

AVG: .243 AB: 70 H: 17 R: 13 2B: 5 3B: 1 HR: 1 RBI: 6 BB: 6 SB: 0 OPS: .698

Notes: Frazier broke up a no-hitter with a single in the top of the ninth inning against the Athletics on May 18.

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

Record: 2-2 ERA: 2.98 G: 11 GS: 8 SV: 0 IP: 51.1 K: 44 BB: 17

Notes: Ginn earned a win against the Cardinals on May 13 tossing six innings without giving up an earned run and took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of his next start and struck out 10 against the Angels.

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

AVG: .260 AB: 104 H: 27 R: 12 2B: 8 3B: 0 HR: 6 RBI: 20 BB: 11 SB: 0 OPS: .840

Notes: Lowe went 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs at the Phillies on May 20.

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

AVG: .250 AB: 88 H: 22 R: 14 2B: 2 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 5 BB: 8 SB: 5 OPS: .593

Notes: Mangum was activated off the injured list on May 17 and went 2-for-5 with two singles and an RBI at the Cardinals three days later.

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

AVG: .203 AB: 133 H: 27 R: 12 2B: 2 3B: 0 HR: 7 RBI: 25 BB: 15 SB: 2 OPS: .661

Notes: Rooker went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs against the Giants on May 16 and posted the same stat line at the Angels three days later.

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: 2-1 ERA: 3.60 G: 6 GS: 6 SV: 0 IP: 30 K: 25 BB: 7

Notes: Woodruff went on the 15-day injured list on May 1 with inflammation in his right shoulder.

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

MLB
Record: 0-0 ERA: 9.00 G: 2 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 3.K: 5 BB: 4

MiLB
Record: 1-0 ERA: 1.06 G: 16 GS: 0 SV: 6 IP: 17.K: 26 BB: 8

Notes: Cerantola pitched a scoreless and hitless inning to earn a save at St. Paul on May 19.

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: 5.00 G: 10 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 18 K: 23 BB: 13

Notes: France worked 1 1/3 scoreless and hitless innings with three strikeouts at Tacoma on May 16.

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

Record: 0-3 ERA: 6.44 G: 8 GS: 8 SV: 0 IP: 36.1 K: 49 BB: 15

Notes: Hardin was promoted to Triple-A on May 17 and made a seven-inning start that day against Iowa, surrendering one earned run and striking out six.

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

Record: 0-1 ERA: 9.12 G: 11 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 25.2 K: 17 BB: 16*

Notes: Harding was sent down to make a start for Single-A Tri-City on May 13 and recalled to Triple-A the next day.

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

Record: 2-2 ERA: 6.85 G: 9 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 23.2 K: 18 BB: 19

Notes: Hunt pitched a shutout inning of releif against Nashville with one strikeout on May 20.

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

AVG: .201 AB: 144 H: 29 R: 21 2B: 4 3B: 3 HR: 2 RBI: 16 BB: 15 SB: 7 OPS: .597

Notes: Ledbetter homered and drove in two runs against Jacksonville on May 17.

KONNOR PILKINGTON – TOLEDO MUD HENS (TIGERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-18

Record: 1-3 ERA: 4.43 G: 15 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 22.1 K: 19 BB: 22

Notes: Pilkington made his first start of the season against Indianapolis on May 20. striking out three in two innings of work.

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 went on the 7-day injured list on May 10.

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: 3.94 G: 10 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 16 K: 19 BB: 11*

Notes: Bednar tossed 1 2/3 shutout innings of relief allowing only one hit and striking out one against Binghamton on May 20.

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

Record: 2-2 ERA: 6.06 G: 8 GS: 8 SV: 0 IP: 35.2 K: 46 BB: 20

Notes: Cijntje struck out 10 batters across 4 1/3 innings at Tulsa on May 16.

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

AVG: .196 AB: 51 H: 10 R: 7 2B: 4 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 3 BB: 6 SB: 0 OPS: .614

Notes: James went 3-for-4 with two doubles, one homer, two RBIs and a walk against Biloxi on May 15.

PRESTON JOHNSON – WICHITA WIND SURGE (TWINS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-22

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

Notes: Johnson signed with the Twins on May 18 and pitched a scoreless inning of relief against Tulsa four days later with one strikeout.

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: 12.00 G: 4 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 6 K: 9 BB: 7*

Notes: MacLeod signed with the Marlins on May 11 and pitched two scoreless and no-hit innings of relief with three strikeouts against Columbus eight days later.

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

Record: 1-2 ERA: 344 G: 16 GS: 0 SV: 8 IP: 18.1 K: 15 BB: 8

Notes: Sims has earned a save in three of his last four appearances since May 12.

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

Record: 2-2 ERA: 5.87 G: 7 GS: 6 SV: 0 IP: 30.2 K: 34 BB: 15

Notes: Smith has held hitters to a .214 batting 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: 3-2 ERA: 3.12 G: 9 GS: 9 SV: 0 IP: 43.1 K: 45 BB: 20

Notes: Stephen collected a win at Harrisburg on May 21, firing five shutout innings with four strikeouts.

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: 0.77 G: 4 GS: 4 SV: 0 IP: 11.2 K: 20 BB: 3

Notes: Auger has pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings over his last two relief apperances with 11 strikeouts and only allowed three hits and a walk.

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

Record: 0-3 ERA: 10.53 G: 7 GS: 7 SV: 0 IP: 19.2 K: 22 BB: 13

Notes: Dohm has dominated during day games this year, holding hitters to a .154 batting average.

LUKE DOTSON – VISALIA RAWHIDE (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 202 4-25

Record: 1-0 ERA: 1.42 G: 10 GS: 0 SV: 3 IP: 12.2 K: 26 BB: 1

Notes: Dotson is 1-0 with two saves, 14 strikeouts and only one walk across five relief outings during the month of May.

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

Record: 2-1 ERA: 5.54 G: 12 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 13 K: 12 BB: 10

Notes: Fristoe is 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA across five relief appearances in May.

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

AVG: .181 AB: 94 H: 17 R: 11 2B: 5 3B: 0 HR: 3 RBI: 16 BB: 6 SB: 0 OPS: .565

Notes: Hines went 2-for-5 with a double, homer and three RBIs at Winston-Salem on May 12.

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: .270 AB: 137 H: 37 R: 29 2B: 8 3B: 0 HR: 12 RBI: 34 BB: 7 SB: 9 OPS: .892

Notes: Hujsak is hitting .344 with four doubles, six homers, 23 RBIs and four steals during the month of May.

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

AVG: .284 AB: 162 H: 46 R: 24 2B: 10 3B: 0 HR: 6 RBI: 33 BB: 18 SB: 8 OPS: .807

Notes: Jordan has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games

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: 3.24 G: 3 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 8.1 K: 14 BB: 6

Notes: Ligon was activated from the injured list on May 22 and started later that day, tossing 2 2/3 shutout innings with five strikeouts against Ft. Myers.

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

AVG: .088 AB: 34 H: 3 R: 8 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 3 BB: 5 SB: 2 OPS: .283*

Notes: Mershon was assigned to High-A on May 19 and went 3-for-5 with two singles, a homer and three RBIs at Everett three days later.

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: 0.00 G: 2 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 2 K: 3 BB: 2

Notes: Nixon was activated from the injured list on May 16 and has pitched two scoreless and hitless innings with three strikeouts in his first work since 2024.

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

Record: 2-1 ERA: 3.45 G: 10 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 15.2 K: 21 BB: 4

Notes: Pruitt pitched 2/3 of an inning without allowing a run against Lakeland on May 17.

CAM SCHUELKE – LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS (GUARDIANS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2024

Record: 1-0 ERA: 0.51 G: 13 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 17.2 K: 18 BB: 7

Notes: Schuelke has not surrendered an earned run across his last nine relief appearances.

EVAN SIARY – HICKORY CRAWDADS (RANGERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 202 3-25

Record: 1-1 ERA: 3.86 G: 7 GS: 7 SV: 0 IP: 32.2 K: 28 BB: 10

Notes: Siary started and earned a win at Columbia on May 17, firing five shutout innings with four strikeouts and no walks.

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: 5.94 G: 11 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 16.2 K: 21 BB: 8

Notes: Williams worked 2 1/3 shutout innings of relief with no walks and four strikeouts at West Michigan on May 20.

*Combined Minor League Stats

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