#StateToTheShow Update: August 21
August 21, 2026 | Baseball
Mississippi State has produced plenty of professional baseball players over the years and 2026 is no exception.
There are 51 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 21 first round draft picks during its storied history including Rooker, Westburg, Justin Foscue, Will Bednar, Landon Sims, Jurrangelo Cijntje and Ace Reese.
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. 2B Height: 5-11 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2018-20
AVG: .266 AB: 154 H: 41 R: 17 2B: 8 3B: 1 HR: 8 RBI: 23 BB: 13 SB: 0 OPS: .816
Notes: Foscue is 4-for-6 (.667) with a double, one homer and two RBIs over his last three games.
ADAM FRAZIER – LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Pos. 2B Height: 5-10 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2011-13
MLB
AVG: .243 AB: 103 H: 25 R: 18 2B: 7 3B: 1 HR: 1 RBI: 10 BB: 9 SB: 2 OPS: .669
Notes: Frazier is hitting .444 (8-for-18) with a pair of doubles and four RBIs over his last seven games.
J.T. GINN – ATHLETICS
Pos. SP Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2019-20
Record: 8-7 ERA: 3.53 G: 25 GS: 22 SV: 0 IP: 127.1 K: 114 BB: 53
Notes: Ginn is holding hitters to a .219 batting average this season.
NATHANIEL LOWE – CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Pos. 1B Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2016
AVG: .263 AB: 289 H: 76 R: 29 2B: 20 3B: 0 HR: 14 RBI: 46 BB: 30 SB: 0 OPS: .808
Notes: Lowe went 3-for-4 with a double, home run and two RBIs against the Padres on Aug. 14.
JAKE MANGUM – PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Pos. OF Height: 5-11 Weight: 191 Bats/Throws: S/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-19
AVG: .298 AB: 346 H: 103 R: 50 2B: 15 3B: 2 HR: 4 RBI: 28 BB: 21 SB: 21 OPS: .739
Notes: Mangum is hitting .333 (7-for-21) with a double, triple 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: .200 AB: 180 H: 36 R: 20 2B: 4 3B: 0 HR: 10 RBI: 29 BB: 19 SB: 2 OPS: .670
Notes: Rooker will miss the rest of the 2026 season following surgery on 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 – MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 242 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2012-14
Record: 2-2 ERA: 2.98 G: 9 GS: 9 SV: 0 IP: 45.1 K: 47 BB: 10
Notes: Woodruff will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery on his right shoulder.
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: 5-1 ERA: 4.26 G: 31 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 50.2 K: 62 BB: 30*
Notes: Bednar is a perfect 3-0 with one save and is holding hitters to a .216 average in road games this year.
ERIC CERANTOLA – SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS (GIANTS)
Pos. P Height: 6-5 Weight: 225 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2019-21
MLB
Record: 0-0 ERA: 10.13 G: 4 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 5.1.K: 7 BB: 10
MiLB
Record: 1-4 ERA: 3.48 G: 37 GS: 1 SV: 13 IP: 41.1.K: 57 BB: 24
Notes: Cerantola earned a save against Tacoma on Aug. 20, recording a pair of strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings.
JURRANGELO CIJNTJE – MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (CARDINALS)
Pos. P Height: 5-11 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: S/S Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 3-7 ERA: 5.22 G: 23 GS: 23 SV: 0 IP: 108.2 K: 136 BB: 60*
Notes: Cijntje has a 2.35 ERA, struck out 22 and held hitters to a .173 batting average through three starts this month.
J.P. FRANCE – EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS (PADRES)
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: 1-3 ERA: 4.61 G: 34 GS: 1 SV: 1 IP: 41 K: 41 BB: 30
Notes: France has limited leadoff hitters to a .185 batting average against him this season.
TYSON HARDIN – NASHVILLE SOUNDS (BREWERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 185 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 3-7 ERA: 5.85 G: 23 GS: 23 SV: 0 IP: 104.2 K: 120 BB: 34*
Notes: Hardin has limited leadoff hitters to a .192 batting average this year.
HOUSTON HARDING – FREE AGENT
Pos: RP Height: 6-1 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2020-21
Record: 2-1 ERA: 6.97 G: 25 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 51.2 K: 29 BB: 35*
Notes: Harding was released by the Angels organization on Aug. 3.
COLTON LEDBETTER – MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (CARDINALS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2023
AVG: .267 AB: 333 H: 89 R: 63 2B: 17 3B: 3 HR: 11 RBI: 46 BB: 31 SB: 21 OPS: .771
Notes: Ledbetter has homered four times in his last eight games.
KONNOR PILKINGTON – FREE AGENT
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-18
Record: 2-5 ERA: 4.57 G: 31 GS: 5 SV: 1 IP: 41.1 K: 35 BB: 36
Notes: Pilkington was released by the Nationals organization on Aug. 5.
LANDON SIMS – RENO ACES (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 227 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22
Record: 2-5 ERA: 4.81 G: 41 GS: 0 SV: 9 IP: 48.2 K: 38 BB: 23*
Notes: Sims has made four consecutive shutout appearances in relief.
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 60-day injured list.
DIAMOND DAWGS IN DOUBLE-A
TYLER DAVIS – PORTLAND SEA DOGS (RED SOX)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 2-1 ERA: 4.54 G: 19 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 33.2 K: 36 BB: 11*
Notes: Davis worked 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief with one strikeout and only one baserunner allowed against Binghamton on Aug. 14.
CONNOR HUJSAK – MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (RAYS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
AVG: .292 AB: 408 H: 119 R: 74 2B: 25 3B: 2 HR: 27 RBI: 83 BB: 17 SB: 24 OPS: .880*
Notes: Hujsak had an RBI double and a walk against Chattanooga on Aug. 15.
K.C. HUNT – MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (RAYS)
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-22
Record: 3-3 ERA: 5.40 G: 23 GS: 5 SV: 1 IP: 56.2 K: 51 BB: 38*
Notes: Hunt is holding hitters to a .197 batting average during day games this season.
KAMREN JAMES – MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (RAYS)
Pos. SS Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22
AVG: .236 AB: 144 H: 34 R: 25 2B: 7 3B: 1 HR: 7 RBI: 20 BB: 15 SB: 2 OPS: .761
Notes: James singled at Columbus on Aug. 19.
PRESTON JOHNSON – WICHITA WIND SURGE (TWINS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-22
Record: 1-3 ERA: 4.13 G: 19 GS: 15 SV: 0 IP: 69.2 K: 83 BB: 25
Notes: Johnson started and pitched five shutout and one-hit innings with five strikeouts to earn a win against Corpus Christi on Aug. 14.
DAKOTA JORDAN – RICHMOND FLYING SQUIRRELS (GIANTS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-0 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
AVG: .289 AB: 356 H: 103 R: 55 2B: 26 3B: 1 HR: 18 RBI: 71 BB: 31 SB: 20 OPS: .866*
Notes: Jordan is currently on the 7-day injured list.
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: 5.57 G: 21 GS: 3 SV: 0 IP: 32.1 K: 32 BB: 30*
Notes: MacLeod tossed three shutout and no-hit innings of relief against Knoxville with two strikeouts on Aug. 18.
CADE SMITH – SOMERSET PATRIOTS (YANKEES)
Pos. SP Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-23
Record: 6-7 ERA: 5.09 G: 20 GS: 19 SV: 0 IP: 99 K: 91 BB: 43
Notes: Smith collected a win against New Hampshire on Aug. 15 following a seven-inning start in which he struck out six and surrendered just two hits, one walk and one run.
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 60-day injured list.
DREW WYERS – CORPUS CHRISTI HOOKS (ASTROS)
Pos. SS Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2026
AVG: .333 AB: 3 H: 1 R: 1 2B: 0 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 1 BB: 0 SB: 0 OPS: .583
Notes: Wyers was promoted to Double-A and made his pro debut against MIdland on Aug. 20, finishing with a single, run batted in and a run scored.
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: 1-1 ERA: 3.60 G: 14 GS: 14 SV: 0 IP: 50 K: 70 BB: 23
Notes: Auger has kept hitters to a .143 batting average during day games in 2026.
BLAKE BEVIS – ACL CUBS (CUBS)
Pos. 1B Height: 6-4 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2026
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: Bevis signed with the Cubs as an undrafted free agent.
BRYCE CHANCE – VANCOUVER CANADIANS (BLUE JAYS)
Pos. OF Height: 5-10 Weight: 180 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-26
AVG: .279 AB: 43 H: 12 R: 5 2B: 3 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 9 BB: 5 SB: 3 OPS: .698
Notes: Chance is on a five-game hitting streak which includes a 2-for-5 performance with an RBI at Eugene on Aug. 20.
BEN DAVIS – FRESNO GRIZZLIES (ROCKIES)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2025-26
Record: 1-0 ERA: 0.00 G: 1 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 1 K: 2 BB: 0
Notes: Davis was promoted to Fresno on Aug. 18. The following day, he pitched a perfect inning of relief with a pair of strikeouts to earn a win in his pro debut against Stockton.
NATE DOHM – PEORIA CHIEFS (CARDINALS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 2-5 ERA: 7.03 G: 21 GS: 13 SV: 0 IP: 56.1 K: 60 BB: 36
Notes: Dohm was placed on the 7-day injured list on Aug. 19.
LUKE DOTSON – HILLSBORO HOPS (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2024-25
Record: 2-1 ERA: 2.89 G: 29 GS: 0 SV: 4 IP: 37.1 K: 55 BB: 11*
Notes: Dotson returned from the temporarily inactive list to pitch 1 1/3 shutout innings with a pair of strikeouts at Spokane on Aug. 18.
JACKSON FRISTOE – FREE AGENT
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-23
Record: 2-3 ERA: 9.60 G: 16 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 15 K: 13 BB: 18
Notes: Fristoe was released by the Yankees organization on Aug. 6.
HUNTER HINES – FREDERICKSBURG NATIONALS (NATIONALS)
Pos. 1B Height: 6-3 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2022-25
AVG: .239 AB: 284 H: 68 R: 39 2B: 17 3B: 2 HR: 15 RBI: 55 BB: 28 SB: 1 OPS: .781*
Notes: Hines is 6-for-13 (.462) with two doubles and an RBI in his last three games.
COLBY HOLCOMBE – VANCOUVER CANADIANS (BLUE JAYS)
Pos: P Height: 6-6 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 2-1 ERA: 9.12 G: 14 GS: 4 SV: 0 IP: 24.2 K: 20 BB: 18*
Notes: Holcombe hurled a scoreless and hitless inning of relief at Eugene on Aug. 18.
PICO KOHN – HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES (YANKEES)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2022, 2024-25
Record: 1-0 ERA:1.64 G: 3 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 11 K: 12 BB: 7
Notes: Kohn made his first relief appearance as a pro against Wilmington on Aug. 14, striking out four in 2 2/3 innings.
KARSON LIGON – DUNEDIN BLUE JAYS (BLUE JAYS)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2024-25
Record: 0-2 ERA: 7.27 G: 7 GS: 6 SV: 0 IP: 17.1 K: 23 BB: 13
Notes: Ligon is holding hitters to a .148 batting average at home in 2026.
DAVID MERSHON – TRI-CITY DUST DEVILS (ANGELS)
Pos. SS Height: 5-7 Weight: 175 Bats/Throws: S/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
AVG: .221 AB: 240 H: 53 R: 42 2B: 5 3B: 1 HR: 2 RBI: 19 BB: 33 SB: 22 OPS: .599*
Notes: Mershon singled, walked twice and stole three bases at Vancouver on Aug. 14.
AARON NIXON – GREENVILLE DRIVE (RED SOX)
Pos. RP Height: 6-0 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023
Record: 2-1 ERA: 5.79 G: 18 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 18.2 K: 21 BB: 12
Notes: Nixon worked 1 1/3 shutout innings of relief with three strikeeouts against Winston-Salem on Aug. 19.
TYLER PITZER – ACL PADRES (PADRES)
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2026
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: Pitzer signed with the Padres as an undrafted free agent.
JACOB PRUITT – CLEARWATER THRESHERS (PHILLIES)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 185 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2025
Record: 3-2 ERA: 4.66 G: 26 GS: 1 SV: 1 IP: 38.2 K: 44 BB: 26
Notes: Pruitt made his first professional start at Fort Myers on Aug. 15.
ACE REESE – INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (MARINERS)
Pos. 3B Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2025-26
AVG: .485 AB: 33 H: 16 R: 10 2B: 4 3B: 0 HR: 2 RBI: 11 BB: 9 SB: 1 OPS: 1.344
Notes: Reese has a hit in eight of his first 10 games as a pro, including a 3-for-4 performance with two doubles, a homer, three RBIs and a walk at Ontario on Aug. 18.
CAM SCHUELKE – LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS (GUARDIANS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2024
Record: 3-3 ERA: 4.14 G: 35 GS: 0 SV: 3 IP: 54.1 K: 47 BB: 37
Notes: Schuelke pitched a perfect inning of relief against Dayton on Aug. 14.
EVAN SIARY – HICKORY CRAWDADS (RANGERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-25
Record: 6-3 ERA: 3.09 G: 20 GS: 20 SV: 0 IP: 99 K: 88 BB: 22
Notes: Siary earned a win over Delmarva on Aug. 20 following a seven-inning start in which he struck out three and walked none.
REED STALLMAN – ST. LUCIE METS (METS)
Pos. 1B Height: 6-3 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2025-26
AVG: .250 AB: 36 H: 9 R: 2 2B: 3 3B: 0 HR: 0 RBI: 1 BB: 3 SB: 0 OPS: .641
Notes: Stallman is riding a four-game hitting streak including a double in three of those contests.
BRENDAN SWEENEY – FCL PHILLIES (PHILLIES)
Pos. P Height: 6-7 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2026
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: Sweeney signed with the Phillies as an undrafted free agent.
LOGAN TANNER – DAYTONA TORTUGAS (REDS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22
Record: 2-0 ERA: 4.09 G: 9 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 11 K: 20 BB: 7*
Notes: Tanner pitched a shutout inning of relief with one strikeout against Palm Beach on Aug. 16.
AIDAN TEEL – FORT MYERS MIGHTY MUSSELS (TWINS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-0 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2026
AVG: .267 AB: 45 H: 12 R: 5 2B: 4 3B: 1 HR: 0 RBI: 8 BB: 10 SB: 3 OPS: .804
Notes: Teel ripped a two-run triple and added a walk at Palm Beach on Aug. 19.
NATE WILLIAMS – SOUTH BEND CUBS (CUBS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2025
Record: 4-0 ERA: 6.27 G: 26 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 37.1 K: 45 BB: 20
Notes: Williams retired both batters he faced (one strikeout) against West Michigan on Aug. 20.
*Combined Minor League Stats
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