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: .274 AB: 73 H: 20 R: 10 2B: 4 3B: 0 HR: 4 RBI: 10 BB: 5 SB: 0 OPS: .826
Notes: Foscue is hitting .357 (5-for-14) with two homers, three RBIs and two walks over his last seven games.
ADAM FRAZIER – LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Pos. 2B Height: 5-10 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2011-13
AVG: .210 AB: 79 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: 5-3 ERA: 2.91 G: 16 GS: 13 SV: 0 IP: 77.1 K: 68 BB: 32
Notes: Ginn earned a win following a six-inning start against the Pirates on June 15 in which he did not surrender an earned run and struck out three.
NATHANIEL LOWE – CINCINNATI REDS
Pos. 1B Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2016
AVG: .255 AB: 157 H: 40 R: 17 2B: 10 3B: 0 HR: 9 RBI: 25 BB: 22 SB: 0 OPS: .836
Notes: Lowe went 2-for-2 with two singles and a pair of walks against the Diamondbacks on June 14.
JAKE MANGUM – PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Pos. OF Height: 5-11 Weight: 191 Bats/Throws: S/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-19
AVG: .296 AB: 152 H: 45 R: 20 2B: 5 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 12 BB: 10 SB: 13 OPS: .694
Notes: Mangum is hitting .353 (18-for-51) with six stolen bases over his last 15 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 went on the 10-day injured list on June 9 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.
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: 1-2 ERA: 2.08 G: 23 GS: 0 SV: 8 IP: 26.K: 34 BB: 14
Notes: Cerantola pitched two perfect innings of relief with a strikeout against Las Vegas on June 14.
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: 4.15 G: 18 GS: 1 SV: 0 IP: 26 K: 28 BB: 21
Notes: France worked a scoreless inning of relief against Sacramento on June 13.
TYSON HARDIN – NASHVILLE SOUNDS (BREWERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 185 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
Record: 2-4 ERA: 4.60 G: 13 GS: 13 SV: 0 IP: 62.2 K: 79 BB: 23*
Notes: Hardin has held hitters to a .175 batting average against him since being promoted to Triple-A.
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: 9.98 G: 15 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 30.2 K: 19 BB: 21*
Notes: Harding was activated from the injured list on June 13 and pitched a shutout inning of relief against Tacoma five days later.
CONNOR HUJSAK – DURHAM BULLS (RAYS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
AVG: .285 AB: 214 H: 61 R: 43 2B: 13 3B: 1 HR: 15 RBI: 49 BB: 8 SB: 13 OPS: .872*
Notes: Hujsak went 2-for-3 with a double, triple and one RBI against Jacksonville on June 18.
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 hurled a scoreless inning of releif against Jacksonville on June 17.
COLTON LEDBETTER – MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (CARDINALS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2023
AVG: .209 AB: 187 H: 39 R: 28 2B: 5 3B: 3 HR: 4 RBI: 23 BB: 19 SB: 10 OPS: .619
Notes: Ledbetter launched a two-run homer at Norfolk on June 12.
KONNOR PILKINGTON – TOLEDO MUD HENS (TIGERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-18
Record: 1-5 ERA: 4.59 G: 22 GS: 3 SV: 1 IP: 33.1 K: 30 BB: 28
Notes: Pilkington recorded the final out to earn his first save of the season at Rochester on June 18.
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: 3.07 G: 18 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 29.1 K: 36 BB: 22*
Notes: Bednar is 1-0 with a flawless ERA and 11 strikeouts through five appearances and 8 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: 3-3 ERA: 5.43 G: 13 GS: 13 SV: 0 IP: 59.2 K: 74 BB: 34
Notes: Cijntje has limited opposing hitters to a .194 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: .209 AB: 91 H: 19 R: 13 2B: 4 3B: 1 HR: 2 RBI: 9 BB: 10 SB: 1 OPS: .635
Notes: James went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, a walk and a run scored against Knoxville on June 14.
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: 6.10 G: 7 GS: 4 SV: 0 IP: 20.2 K: 26 BB: 8
Notes: Johnson struck out seven and gave up just one run in a 4 2/3 inning start at Tulsa on June 13.
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: 7.30 G: 8 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 12.1 K: 13 BB: 13*
Notes: MacLeod had held hitters to a .125 batting average against him this month.
LANDON SIMS – AMARILLO SOD POODLES (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 227 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2020-22
Record: 1-4 ERA: 4.55 G: 25 GS: 0 SV: 9 IP: 27.2 K: 26 BB: 12
Notes: Sims pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings to earn a save against Midland on June 16, recording all four outs via strikeout.
CADE SMITH – SOMERSET PATRIOTS (YANKEES)
Pos. SP Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-23
Record: 4-3 ERA: 5.33 G: 11 GS: 10 SV: 0 IP: 52.1 K: 52 BB: 25
Notes: Smith has limited opposing batters to a .212 average so far in June.
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 went on the 7-day injured list on June 10.
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: 8 GS: 8 SV: 0 IP: 27.1 K: 43 BB: 13
Notes: Auger worked 3 2/3 shutout innings with six strikeouts in a start at Wisconsin on June 13.
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: 10.50 G: 3 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 6 K: 7 BB: 1
Notes: Davis logged 2 2/3 shutout innings of relief with four strikeouts against Winston-Salem on June 13.
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: 9.00 G: 11 GS: 9 SV: 0 IP: 31 K: 33 BB: 20
Notes: Dohm pitched three scoreless innings of relief with four strikeouts against Dayton on June 18.
LUKE DOTSON – HILLSBORO HOPS (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2024-25
Record: 2-0 ERA: 2.18 G: 17 GS: 0 SV: 4 IP: 20.2 K: 34 BB: 5*
Notes: Dotson has worked back-to-back shutout appearances out of the bullpen spanning three innings.
JACKSON FRISTOE – HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES (YANKEES)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-23
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: 2022-25
AVG: .205 AB: 151 H: 31 R: 19 2B: 8 3B: 0 HR: 5 RBI: 26 BB: 9 SB: 1 OPS: .610*
Notes: Hines hit a two-run homer against Salem on June 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 is currently on the 60-day injured list with a left oblique strain.
DAKOTA JORDAN – EUGENE EMERALDS (GIANTS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-0 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-24
AVG: .275 AB: 247 H: 68 R: 34 2B: 15 3B: 1 HR: 9 RBI: 44 BB: 25 SB: 12 OPS: .790
Notes: Jordan has hit safely in seven of his last eight games including a solo homer at Tri-City on June 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:1.59 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: 2024-25
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: .169 AB: 118 H: 20 R: 19 2B: 1 3B: 0 HR: 1 RBI: 7 BB: 18 SB: 6 OPS: .494*
Notes: Mershon singled and stole a base against Eugene on June 17.
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: 10.38 G: 9 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 8.2 K: 9 BB: 9
Notes: Nixon pitched 1 1/3 scoreless and hitless innings of relief with one strikeout against Jersey Shore on June 13.
JACOB PRUITT – CLEARWATER THRESHERS (PHILLIES)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 185 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2025
Record: 3-1 ERA: 3.52 G: 15 GS: 0 SV: 1 IP: 23 K: 31 BB: 12
Notes: Pruitt has held left-handers to a .158 batting average this year.
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: 2.12 G: 20 GS: 0 SV: 2 IP: 29.2 K: 29 BB: 14
Notes: Schuelke worked 1 1/3 innings of relief at Great Lakes on June 18, with one strikeout and gave up one hit and no earned runs.
EVAN SIARY – HICKORY CRAWDADS (RANGERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2023-25
Record: 2-2 ERA: 3.76 G: 11 GS: 11 SV: 0 IP: 52.2 K: 43 BB: 13
Notes: Siary has struck out 14 and walked two while holding hitters to a .193 batting average during three daytime starts 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 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: 2025
Record: 1-0 ERA: 5.30 G: 13 GS: 0 SV: 0 IP: 18.2 K: 23 BB: 8
Notes: Williams worked a scoreless inning of relief with a pair of strikeouts against Peoria on June 14.
BRANDON WOODRUFF – WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (BREWERS)
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 242 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2012-14
MLB
Record: 2-1 ERA: 3.60 G: 6 GS: 6 SV: 0 IP: 30 K: 25 BB: 7
MiLB
Record: 1-1 ERA: 6.00 G: 2 GS: 2 SV: 0 IP: 9 K: 11 BB: 3
Notes: Woodruff pitched 5 1/3 innings and struck out six to earn a win in a rehab start at Quad Cities on June 16.
*Combined Minor League Stats
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