#StateToTheShow Update: June 26

Photo by: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

#StateToTheShow Update: June 26

June 26, 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 42 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 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: .256 AB: 78 H: 20 R: 10 2B: 4 3B: 0 HR: 4 RBI: 10 BB: 6 SB: 0 OPS: .784

Notes: Foscue is hitting .355 (11-for-31) with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs against left-handers this season.

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

AVG: .210 AB: 81 H: 17 R: 15 2B: 5 3B: 1 HR: 1 RBI: 6 BB: 9 SB: 0 OPS: .630

Notes: Frazier is currently on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his right elbow.

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

Record: 5-4 ERA: 3.16 G: 17 GS: 14 SV: 0 IP: 82.2 K: 73 BB: 35

Notes: Ginn has a 1.99 ERA and is holding hitters to a .140 batting average on the road this year.

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

AVG: .256 AB: 172 H: 44 R: 19 2B: 11 3B: 0 HR: 9 RBI: 25 BB: 25 SB: 0 OPS: .827

Notes: Lowe went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and one run scored at the Yankees on June 20.

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

AVG: .291 AB: 172 H: 50 R: 22 2B: 7 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 14 BB: 10 SB: 14 OPS: .684

Notes: Mangum is hitting .324 (22-for-68) with five doubles and six steals so far in June.

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 is currently on the 10-day injured list with a bone bruise in 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 – MILKWAUKEE BREWERS
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 242 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2012-14

Record: 2-1 ERA: 3.00 G: 7 GS: 7 SV: 0 IP: 36 K: 35 BB: 7

Notes: Woodruff returned from the IL to pitched six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and only one hit in a start at the Reds on June 22. He became just the second pitcher since 1900 to record three starts of one or no hits, no walks and 10-plus strikeouts.

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: 3 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 4.K: 7 BB: 4

MiLB
Record: 1-3 ERA: 2.67 G: 27 GS: 0 SV: 11 IP: 30.1.K: 43 BB: 16

Notes: Cerantola has earned a save in each of his last three outings.

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: 4.03 G: 20 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 29 K: 30 BB: 22

Notes: France worked a scoreless inning of relief with one strikeout against El Paso on June 24.

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

Record: 3-4 ERA: 4.54 G: 14 GS: 14 SV: 0 IP: 69.1 K: 84 BB: 24*

Notes: Hardin picked up a win at Memphis on June 20, fanning five across a 6 2/3 inning start.

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

Record: 1-1 ERA: 9.37 G: 16 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 32.2 K: 21 BB: 22*

Notes: Harding worked two scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts and only one hit allowed against Tacoma on June 21.

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: 6.30 G: 14 GS: 2 SV: 1 IP: 30 K: 20 BB: 27

Notes: Hunt went on the development list on June 20.

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

AVG: .220 AB: 205 H: 45 R: 32 2B: 5 3B: 5 HR: 5 RBI: 27 BB: 19 SB: 11 OPS: .643

Notes: Ledbetter went 3-for-3 with two singles, a home run and two RBIs against Nashville on June 20 to begin an active four-game hitting streak.

KONNOR PILKINGTON – FREE AGENT
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-18

Record: 1-5 ERA: 5.40 G: 23 GS: 3 SV: 1 IP: 33.1 K: 30 BB: 28

Notes: Pilkington was released by the Detroit Tigers organization on June 24.

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

Record: 1-4 ERA: 4.73 G: 27 GS: 0 SV: 9 IP: 32.1 K: 29 BB: 16*

Notes: Sims was promoted to Triple-A on June 20 and pitched 2 2/3 shutout innings of relief against Oklahoma City five days later, allowing only one hit.

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 7-day injured list.

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: 4-0 ERA: 2.97 G: 19 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 30.1 K: 39 BB: 22*

Notes: Bednar is 1-0 with a flawless ERA and 14 strikeouts through six appearances and 9 2/3 innings this month.

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

Record: 3-4 ERA: 5.07 G: 14 GS: 14 SV: 0 IP: 65.2 K: 80 BB: 36

Notes: Cijntje has limited opposing hitters to a .190 batting average during night games this year.

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

AVG: .224 AB: 98 H: 22 R: 16 2B: 4 3B: 1 HR: 5 RBI: 13 BB: 10 SB: 1 OPS: .742

Notes: James went 3-for-4 with three homers and four RBIs at Rocket City on June 21.

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

Record: 0-3 ERA: 5.47 G: 8 GS: 5 SV: 0 IP: 24.2 K: 30 BB: 10

Notes: Johnson fanned four and only gave up two hits in a four-inning start at Midland on June 23.

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: 8.56 G: 10 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 13.2 K: 16 BB: 15*

Notes: MacLeod had held left-handed hitters to a .190 batting average against him.

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

Record: 4-4 ERA: 4.94 G: 12 GS: 11 SV: 0 IP: 58.1 K: 59 BB: 27

Notes: Smith struck out seven and surrendered only one run across a six-inning start at New Hampshire on June 23.

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 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: 0-1 ERA: 2.30 G: 9 GS: 9 SV: 0 IP: 31.1 K: 52 BB: 15

Notes: Auger fanned nine in a four-inning start against Lake County giving up just one run on two hits on June 21.

TYLER DAVIS – GREENVILLE DRIVE (RED SOX)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2023-24

Record: 1-1 ERA: 8.22 G: 4 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 7.2 K: 10 BB: 2

Notes: Davis logged 1 2/3 shutout innings of relief with three strikeouts and one hit allowed against Asheville on June 23.

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

Record: 1-4 ERA: 8.21 G: 12 GS: 10 SV: 0 IP: 34 K: 37 BB: 22

Notes: Dohm pitched three scoreless innings with four strikeouts and surrendered just one hit in a start at Beloit on June 25.

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

Record: 2-0 ERA: 2.42 G: 18 GS: 0 SV: 4 IP: 22.1 K: 35 BB: 5*

Notes: Dotson has limited opposing hitters to a .143 average during day games this year.

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

Record: 2-2 ERA: 6.59 G: 14 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 13.2 K: 13 BB: 13

Notes: Fristoe is currently on the 7-day injured list.

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

AVG: .220 AB: 164 H: 36 R: 22 2B: 8 3B: 0 HR: 6 RBI: 27 BB: 14 SB: 1 OPS: .660*

Notes: Hines hit a solo homer against Wilson on June 23.

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: .298 AB: 238 H: 71 R: 48 2B: 17 3B: 1 HR: 18 RBI: 59 BB: 9 SB: 13 OPS: .925*

Notes: Hujsak is riding an eight-game hitting streak including a 3-for-4 performance with two homers and four RBIs in Triple-A vs. Jacksonville on June 21 before being sent back to High-A two days later.

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

AVG: .264 AB: 269 H: 71 R: 35 2B: 16 3B: 1 HR: 10 RBI: 47 BB: 26 SB: 13 OPS: .766

Notes: Jordan homered and drove in three runs against Everett on June 25.

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: 4.50 G: 4 GS: 3 SV: 0 IP: 12 K: 17 BB: 8

Notes: Ligon is currently on the 7-day injured list.

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

AVG: .173 AB: 133 H: 23 R: 20 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 8 BB: 20 SB: 8 OPS: .494*

Notes: Mershon went 2-for-4 with an RBI against Eugene on June 21 and singled, walked and swiped two bases at Spokane 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: 9.31 G: 10 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 9.2 K: 9 BB: 9

Notes: Nixon pitched a shutout inning of relief at Bowling Green on June 23.

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

Record: 3-1 ERA: 3.38 G: 16 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 24 K: 33 BB: 13

Notes: Pruitt pitched a scoreless and no-hit inning of relief with a pair of punchouts at Bradenton on June 21.

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

Record: 2-2 ERA: 2.03 G: 21 GS: 0 SV: 2 IP: 31 K: 29 BB: 15

Notes: Schuelke worked 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief against Fort Wayne on June 23.

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

Record: 2-2 ERA: 3.65 G: 12 GS: 12 SV: 0 IP: 56.2 K: 45 BB: 13

Notes: Siary only allowed one run in a four-inning start against Columbia on June 21.

LOGAN TANNER – DAYTON DRAGONS (REDS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22

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: Tanner is currently 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: 5.82 G: 15 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 21.2 K: 27 BB: 9

Notes: Williams has held left-handed hitters to a .184 batting average against him.

*Combined Minor League Stats

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