Mississippi State currently has 45 former players or signees active in professional baseball this season. Each week Logan Lowery of the Daily Journal takes a look at their performances. Check out how the former Diamond Dogs are doing.
BULLDOGS IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Corey Dickerson
Position: Left field/ Designated hitter
Team: Tampa Bay Rays
Height/Weight: 6-1, 205
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Signed with MSU: 2009
2016 MLB Stats: .245 AVG, 510 AB, 125 H, 57 R, 36 2B, 3 3B, 24 HR, 70 RBI, 33 BB, 134 K, 0 SB
Info: Corey Dickerson signed with the Diamond Dogs out of Meridian Community College before being selected in the eighth round of the 2010 MLB Draft by Colorado. The Brookhaven native is in his fourth season in the Big Leagues and first with the Rays. Dickerson hit a three-run homer against the Rangers on Saturday.
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Adam Frazier
Position: Second base
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Height/Weight: 5-11, 170
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2011-13
2016 Stats: .301 AVG, 146 AB, 44 H, 21 R, 8 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 12 BB, 26 K, 4 SB
Info: Adam Frazier was a three-year starter at MSU and led the Diamond Dogs to the College World Series championship series setting the school single-season record with 107 hits as a junior. Frazier was selected in the sixth round (179th overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft by Pittsburgh. He had a pinch hit single against the Cardinals on Sunday in his final at bat of the season.
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Kendall Graveman
Position: Pitcher
Team: Oakland Athletics
Height/Weight: 6-2, 200
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2010-13
2016 MLB Stats: 10-11, 4.11 ERA, 0 SV, 186 IP, 196 H, 87 R, 85 ER, 47 BB, 108 K
Info: Kendall Graveman was the ace of MSU’s pitching staff that advanced to the College World Series championship series in 2013. Graveman was picked in the eighth round (235th overall) by the Blue Jays and made his MLB debut in 2014.
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Billy Hamilton
Position: Center field
Team: Cincinnati Reds
Height/Weight: 6-0, 160
Bats/Throws: Both/ Right
Signed with MSU: 2009 (football)
2016 MLB Stats: .260 AVG, 411 AB, 107 H, 69 R, 19 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 36 BB, 93 K, 58 SB
Info: Speedster Billy Hamilton signed to play wide receiver for the Bulldogs in 2009 and was expected to suit up for the Diamond Dogs as well. But the former Taylorsville standout was selected in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft and set the Minor League single-season record with 155 steals three years later.
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Jonathan Holder
Position: Pitcher
Team: New York Yankees
Height/Weight: 6-2, 235
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2012-14
2016 MLB Stats: 0-0, 5.40 ERA, 0 SV, 8.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
Info: Jonathan Holder holds the MSU all-time saves record closing out 37 games during his Bulldog career. He is also the school’s single-season saves leader with 21 in 2013. The Gulfport native was selected in the sixth round (182nd overall) in 2014 by the Yankees. Holder went 7-6 with a 2.52 ERA, 90 strikeouts and 25 walks in 118 innings in his second season in the minors last year. He pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings allowing a hit against the Orioles on Saturday.
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Chris Maloney
Postion: Third base coach
Team: St. Louis Cardinals
2016 Record: 86-76
Overall Record as a minor league manager: 1,350-1,250
Lettered at MSU: 1982-83
Info: Chris Maloney is in his fifth season with the Cardinals at the big league level after spending 17 years in the Cardinals farm system. He managed for 20 years total in the minor leagues including five years for AAA Memphis winning the Pacific Coast League in 2009. Maloney moved to the third base box after Jose Oquendo took a medical leave of absence.
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Mitch Moreland
Position: First base
Team: Texas Rangers
Height/Weight: 6-2, 230
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Lettered at MSU: 2005-07
2016 MLB Stats: .233 AVG, 460 AB, 107 H, 49 R, 21 2B, 0 3B, 22 HR, 60 RBI, 35 BB, 118 K, 1 SB
2016 Playoff Stats: .250 AVG, 8 AB, 2 H, 1 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 SB
Info: Mitch Moreland is in his seventh season in the majors helping Texas reach the World Series in 2010 and 2011. Moreland was a 17th round draft pick by Texas in 2007 after leading the Diamond Dogs to Omaha. The Amory native doubled twice during the American League Division Series against the Blue Jays.
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Jonathan Papelbon
Position: Pitcher
Team: Free Agent
Height/Weight: 6-4, 225
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2001-03
2016 MLB Stats: 2-4, 4.37 ERA, 19 SV, 35 IP, 37 H, 18 R, 17 ER, 14 BB, 31 K
Info: Jonathan Papelbon is a six-time All-Star in his 10th season as one of baseball’s elite closers with 368 career saves. Papelbon is the Red Sox and Phillies franchise leader in saves after being drafted in the fourth round by Boston in 2003. He is the only closer in MLB history to record 100 saves in both the American and National League. Papelbon was released by the Washington Nationals in August.
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Hunter Renfroe
Position: Outfield
Team: San Diego Padres
Height/Weight: 6-1, 215
Bats/Throws:Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2011-13
2016 Stats: .371 AVG, 35 AB, 13 H, 8 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 SB
Info: Hunter Renfroe was an All-American and Ferriss Trophy winner for the Bulldogs in 2013 helping MSU reach the College World Series championship series. Renfroe was selected as the 13th overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft by the Padres. The Crystal Springs native was called up for the first time on Sept. 21. He was named the NL Player of the Week during the final week of the regular season.
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Buck Showalter
Postion: Manager
Team: Baltimore Orioles
2016 Record: 89-74
Overall Record: 1,429-1,316
Lettered at MSU: 1977
Info: Buck Showalter is in his 18th season as a manager in the big leagues and seventh with Baltimore. The Orioles are the fourth team Showalter has managed in the big leagues with previous stints with the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rangers and has been named the American League Manager of the Year three times. The Orioles lost 5-2 at the Blue Jays in 11 innings in the American League Wild Card.
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Bobby Thigpen
Postion: Bullpen coach
Team: Chicago White Sox
2016 Record: 78-84
Lettered at MSU: 1984-85
Info: Bobby Thigpen is in his 10th season on the White Sox coaching staff and fourth in the big leagues. As a player, Thigpen is the White Sox career saves leader with 201 and held the MLB single-season record with 57 saves for 18 years and finished fourth in the AL Cy Young voting in 1990. He was a member of MSU’s famed 1985 College World Series squad.
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BULLDOGS IN TRIPLE-A
Ed Easley
Position: Catcher
Team: Free Agent
Height/Weight: 6-0, 215
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2005-07
2016 Stats: .174 AVG, 115 AB, 20 H, 7 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 13 BB, 20 K, 0 SB
Info: Ed Easley was a sandwich round draft pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007 after winning the Johnny Bench Award as the top catcher in college baseball and the Ferris Trophy as the best college baseball player in Mississippi. The former All-American helped the Diamond Dogs reach the College World Series in 2007. Easley made his MLB debut last season with the St. Louis Cardinals but was released by the Indianapolis Indians on June 30.
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Chad Girodo
Position: Pitcher
Team: Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 190
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Lettered at MSU: 2010-13
2016 MLB Stats: 0-0, 4.35 ERA, 0 SV, 10.1 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
2016 MiLB Stats: 2-1, 3.79 ERA, 1 SV, 35.2 IP, 45 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 13 BB, 24 K
Info: Chad Girodo led the Diamond Dogs to the College World Series finals and drafted by the Blue Jays in the ninth round (265th overall) in 2013. He made his MLB debut in April and has bounced between the big leagues and Triple-A since.
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Tyler Moore
Position: First base/Left field
Team: Gwinnett Braves (Braves)
Height/Weight: 6-2, 220
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2008
2016 Stats: .227 AVG, 110 AB, 25 H, 12 R, 5 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 7 BB, 33 K, 0 SB*
Info: Tyler Moore was drafted in the 16th round in 2008 by Washington and is the older brother of former MSU standout Reid Humphreys. The Brandon native has spent the last four seasons between the big leagues and Triple-A with the Nationals. Moore was traded to the Braves during spring training.
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Chris Stratton
Position: Pitcher
Team: San Francisco Giants
Height/Weight: 6-3, 190
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2010-12
2016 MLB Stats: 1-0, 3.60 ERA, 0 SV, 10 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 6 K
2016 MiLB Stats: 12-6, 3.87 ERA, 0 SV, 125.2 IP, 120 H, 57 R, 54 ER, 39 BB, 103 K
Info: Chris Stratton was selected in the first round (20th overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Giants. The Tupelo native received his first big league call up in late May. Stratton has bounced between the big leagues and Triple-A since then.
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BULLDOGS IN DOUBLE -A
Ben Bracewell
Position: Pitcher
Team: Midland RockHounds (Athletics)
Height/Weight: 6-0, 195
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2010, 12-14
2016 Stats: 9-4, 2.70 ERA, 3 SV, 93.1 IP, 76 H, 31 R, 28 ER, 28 BB, 64 K*
Info: Ben Bracewell signed with the Athletics as a free agent in 2013 after a successful stint in independent baseball. Bracewell served as a co-captain for the 2014 MSU squad and served as a starter, reliever and closer during his career in Starkville. He was 6-2 with seven saves and a 2.89 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 12 walks in 56 innings last year. He was promoted to Double-A on April 27.
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Dakota Hudson
Position: Pitcher
Team: Springfield Cardinals (Cardinals)
Height/Weight: 6-5, 215
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2014-16
2016 Stats: 2-1, 0.68 ERA, 3 SV, 13.1 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 7 BB, 19 K*
Info: Dakota Hudson helped lead MSU to the 2016 SEC Championship and earned All-American status in the process. Hudson went 9-5 with a 2.55 ERA with 115 strikeouts and 35 walks in 113 innings for the Diamond Dogs this past spring. He was drafted 34th overall and agreed to a $2 million contact and was promoted to Double-A last week.
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Evan Mitchell
Position: Pitcher
Team: Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Reds)
Height/Weight: 6-2, 175
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2011-13
2016 Stats: 5-2, 2.87 ERA, 1 SV, 62.2 IP, 51 H, 20 R, 20 ER, 21 BB, 50 K*
Info: Evan Mitchell is in his fourth season as a pro after helping lead the Diamond Dogs to the College World Series championship series in 2013. Mitchell was selected in the 13th round (405th overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Reds. He went 3-2 with eight saves, a 3.84 ERA, 42 strikeouts and 33 walks in 58.2 innings last year.
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Nick Routt
Position: Pitcher
Team: Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Reds)
Height/Weight: 6-4, 215
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Lettered at MSU: 2009, 11-12
2016 Stats: 2-1, 1.98 ERA, 0 SV, 68.1 IP, 51 H, 15 R, 15 ER, 25 BB, 58 K*
Info: Nick Routt is in his fifth season in the minor leagues after being selected in the 16th round (502nd overall) of the 2012 draft. Routt was a Freshman All-American for the Diamond Dogs in 2009. He went 6-3 with a 3.47 ERA, 74 strikeouts and 22 walks in 90.2 innings last year. He was named to the Southern League All-Star game and has spent this season between Double and Triple-A.
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Brandon Woodruff
Position: Pitcher
Team: Biloxi Shuckers (Brewers)
Height/Weight: 6-4, 215
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2012-14
2016 Stats: 14-9, 2.68 ERA, 0 SV, 158 IP, 121 H, 51 R, 47 ER, 40 BB, 173 K*
Info: Brandon Woodruff began his Bulldog career as a dual position player but spent his final two seasons solely on the mound. The Wheeler native was selected in the 11th round (326th overall) by the Brewers in 2014. He went 4-7 with a 3.45 ERA, 71 strikeouts and 33 walks in 109.2 innings during his first full season in the minors last year.
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BULLDOGS IN SINGLE-A
Daniel Brown
Position: Pitcher
Team: AZL Brewers (Brewers)
Height/Weight: 5-10, 185
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Lettered at MSU: 2015-16
2016 Stats: 0-0, 6.23 ERA, 0 SV, 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Info: Daniel Brown pitched for the Bulldogs for two seasons after transferring in from Tyler (Texas) Junior College. He helped MSU win the 2016 SEC Championship going 4-2 with two saves, a 3.62 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 18 walks over 54 2/3 innings. Brown signed with the Brewers for $225,500 after being drafted in the seventh round (201st overall).
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Dale Burdick
Position: Second base
Team: Columbia Fireflys (Mets)
Height/Weight: 6-0, 175
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Signed with MSU: 2014
2016 Stats: .189 AVG, 190 AB, 36 H, 16 R, 8 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 20 BB, 65 K, 8 SB*
Info: Dale Burdick signed with MSU 2014 after being committed for two years. Burdick instead chose to sign with the Mets after being selected in the final round (1,195th overall) for $150,000. In his first full season last year, he hit .210 with three home runs and 21 RBIs.
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Travis Chapman
Position: Defensive coach
Team: Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees)
2016 Record: 76-63
Overall Record as a MiLB manager: 38-22
Lettered at MSU: 1997-00
Info: Travis Chapman is in his second season with the RiverDogs after serving as the manager for the GCL Yankees1 in 2014. Chapman was a former 17th round draft pick by the Phillies in 2000 and spent seven seasons in the minor leagues in the Phillies, Royals, Reds and Pirates organizations. He appeared in one big league game with the Phillies in 2003.
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Gavin Collins
Position: Catcher
Team: Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Indians)
Height/Weight: 5-11, 205
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2014-16
2016 Stats: .260 AVG, 173 AB, 45 H, 19 R, 8 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 19 RBI, 22 BB, 28 K, 0 SB
Info: Gavin Collins was a catcher, third baseman and outfielder for three seasons at MSU and helped the Bulldogs win the 2016 SEC Championship. Collins batted .302 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs as a junior this past spring. The Cleveland Indians signed him to a $100,000 contract after being drafted in the 13th round (392nd overall).
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Gray Fenter
Position: Pitcher
Team: GCL Orioles (Orioles)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 210
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Signed with MSU: 2015
2016 Stats: N/A
Info: Gray Fenter flipped from a commitment to Ole Miss and signed with MSU. Fenter was selected in the seventh round (223rd overall) of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Orioles and signed a $1 million contract, $821,700 above slot value. He had a 1.66 ERA, with 18 strikeouts and six walks in 21.2 innings as a rookie last season. Fenter will miss the 2016 season after having Tommy John surgery.
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Nick Flair
Position: Third base
Team: Orem Owlz (Angels)
Height/Weight: 6-3, 200
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Played at MSU: 2012-13
2016 Stats: .348 AVG, 210 AB, 73 H, 40 R, 23 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 8 BB, 51 K, 3 SB
Info: Nick Flair redshirted at MSU in 2012 and led the team with a .571 batting average the following year. Flair transferred to Gulf Coast State (Fla.) College and then to the University of Tampa. He was picked in the 34th round (1,035th overall) to the Los Angeles Angels. Flair hit .220 with four home runs and 15 RBIs as a rookie last season.
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Daniel Garner
Position: Catcher
Team: GCL Phillies (Phillies)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 195
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Played at MSU: 2013-14
2016 Stats: .310 AVG, 29 AB, 9 H, 4 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 10 K, 0 SB
Info: Garner spent two years in Starkville and played in 24 games including 10 starts as a redshirt freshman in 2014. He transferred to Shelton State Community College and then to Northwestern State, where he led the Demons with a .308 batting average, five home runs and 28 RBIs this past season. The Phillies drafted him in the 32nd round (947th overall).
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Colin Holderman
Position: Pitcher
Team: Kingsport Mets (Mets)
Height/Weight: 6-5, 200
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Signed with MSU: 2016
2016 Stats: 1-0, 3.86 ERA, 3 SV, 18.2 IP, 17 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 11 BB, 13 K
Info: Colin Holderman began his college career at Southern Illinois before transferring to Heartland Community College where he was 8-1 with a 1.57 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 74 1/3 innings. He also hit .489 with 13 home runs and 58 RBIs and signed with the Bulldogs as a two-way player. The Mets drafted Holderman in the ninth round (280th overall) and bypassed MSU after signing a $400,000 deal.
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Zac Houston
Position: Pitcher
Team: West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers)
Height/Weight: 6-5, 250
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2014-16
2016 Stats: 2-0, 0.30 ERA, 4 SV, 29.2 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 15 BB, 49 K*
Info: Zac Houston spent three seasons as a starter and reliever at MSU and helped the Bulldogs win the SEC in 2016. As a junior this past season, Houston was 6-0 with a 1.63 ERA, 42 strikeouts, 19 walks in 38.2 innings. The Detroit Tigers drafted the Poplarville native in the 11th round (325th overall) and signed for $190,000.
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Reid Humphreys
Position: Pitcher
Team: Grand Junction Rockies (Rockies)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 205
Bats/Throws: Right/ Right
Lettered at MSU: 2014-16
2016 Stats: 1-0, 3.48 ERA, 0 SV, 10.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 9 K
Info: Reid Humphreys helped lead MSU to the 2016 SEC Championship as a two-way player. The Brandon native batted .310 with five home runs and 44 RBIs and went 0-1 on the mound with seven saves, a 5.56 ERA, 31 strikeouts and seven walks in 22 2/3 innings. Humphreys, who is the younger brother of Tyler Moore, was drafted in the seventh round (200th overall) in 2016 and signed for $227,400.
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Jack Kruger
Position: Catcher/Designated hitter
Team: Orem Owlz (Angels)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 185
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Played at MSU: 2016
2016 Stats: .310 AVG, 116 AB, 36 H, 17 R, 7 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 14 RBI, 7 BB, 14 K, 6 SB
Info: Jack Kruger led MSU to an SEC Championship in 2016 after spending time at Oregon and Orange Coast (Calif.) College. Kruger hit .344 during his only season in Starkville with eight home runs and 40 RBIs. He was drafted in the 20th round (606th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels and signed a $395,000 contract on the deadline to return to school.
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Carlos Leal
Position: Catcher
Team: AZL Brewers (Brewers)
Height/Weight: 5-11, 180
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Played at MSU: Fall 2009
2016 Stats: N/A
Info: Carlos Leal caught for the Diamond Dogs in the fall of 2009 prior to transferring to East Central Community College. Although he was drafted in the 33rd round by the Pirates in 2012, the Puerto Rican signed with Delta State and lettered for two years for the Statesmen. The Brewers selected him in the 34th round (1,016th overall) as a pitcher. He hit .309 with two homers and 29 RBI in his second season in the minors last year and is currently on the disabled list.
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Jacob Lindgren
Position: Pitcher
Team: Tampa Yankees (Yankees)
Height/Weight: 5-11, 205
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Lettered at MSU: 2012-14
2016 Stats: 1-0, 2.57 ERA, 1 SV, 7 IP, 0 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 9 BB, 8 K
Info: Jacob Lindgren signed a $1.1 million contract after the Yankees drafted him in the second round (55th overall) in 2014. Lindgren made his MLB debut last year. The Bay St. Louis native made seven relief appearances for the Yankees in 2015 with a 5.14 ERA, eight strikeouts and four walks in seven innings of work. Lindgren is currently on the disabled list after having Tommy John surgery on Aug. 5.
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Nathaniel Lowe
Position: First base
Team: Hudson Valley Renegades (Rays)
Height/Weight: 6-4, 235
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2016
2016 Stats: .300 AVG, 247 AB, 74 H, 26 R, 18 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 40 RBI, 30 BB, 39 K, 1 SB
Info: Nathaniel Lowe spent one season at MSU after transferring in from Mercer and St. Johns River Community College. Lowe helped the Bulldogs win the 2016 SEC Championship hitting .348 with five home runs and 49 RBIs and started all 63 games. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 13th round with the 390th pick.
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Greg Pickett
Position: Outfield
Team: GCL Phillies (Phillies)
Height/Weight: 6-4, 215
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Signed with MSU: 2015
2016 Stats: N/A
Info: Greg Pickett signed with the Diamond Dogs out of Legend High School in Aurora, Colo. Pickett was drafted in the eighth round (234th overall) and signed a contract for $350,000. He hit .179 with one home run and four RBIs as a rookie last season. He is currently on the disabled list.
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Brett Pirtle
Position: Second base
Team: West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers)
Height/Weight: 5-9, 175
Bats/Throws: Switch/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2013-14
2016 Stats: .277 AVG, 383 AB, 106 H, 56 R, 21 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 44 RBI, 34 BB, 57 K, 10 SB*
Info: Brett Pirtle was part of the College World Series runner-up team in 2013 and led the Bulldogs in hitting the following year. He was taken in the 23rd round (700th overall) by the Tigers. Pirtle hit .287 with a home run and 12 RBIs in his second season in the minors last year.
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Austin Riley
Position: Third base
Team: Rome Braves (Braves)
Height/Weight: 6-2, 230
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Signed with MSU: 2015
2016 Stats: .271 AVG, 495 AB, 134 H, 68 R, 39 2B, 2 3B, 20 HR, 80 RBI, 39 BB, 147 K, 3 SB
Info: Austin Riley was part of the Bulldogs 2015 signing class but was drafted 41st overall by the Atlanta Braves in lottery round A. The Southaven native signed a $1.6 million contract and bypassed college. Riley hit .304 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs as a rookie last season.
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Walker Robbins
Position: Outfield
Team: GCL Cardinals (Cardinals)
Height/Weight: 6-3, 215
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Signed with MSU: 2016
2016 Stats: .185 AVG, 108 AB, 20 H, 8 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 5 BB, 31 K, 3 SB
Info: Walker Robbins was the 2016 Class 6A Player of the Year at George County after hitting .477 with three home runs and 16 RBIs. On the mound, Robbins posted a 8-2 record with a 0.67 ERA and threw two no-hitter and a perfect game. He signed with the Bulldogs but turned pro after the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the fifth round (166th overall) with a $450,000 deal.
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Jacob Robson
Position: Outfield
Team: Connecticut Tigers (Tigers)
Height/Weight: 5-10, 175
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2013, 2015-16
2016 Stats: .294 AVG, 177 AB, 52 H, 30 R, 9 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 31 BB, 42 K, 15 SB*
Info: Jacob Robson helped lead MSU to the College World Series finals in 2013 and also the SEC Championship in 2016. The Canadian hit .321 with six doubles, four triples, one home run and 24 RBIs and led the team with 16 steals as a redshirt junior this past spring. He was drafted in the eighth round (235th overall) by the Detroit Tigers and signed for $181,600.
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Cord Sandberg
Position: Right field
Team: Clearwater Threshers (Phillies)
Height/Weight: 6-3, 215
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Signed with MSU: 2013 (football)
2016 Stats: .230 AVG, 305 AB, 70 H, 40 R, 12 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 25 BB, 85 K, 6 SB
Info: Cord Sandberg signed with Mississippi State as a four-star quarterback in 2013 and also planned to play for the Diamond Dogs. However, he opted to play pro baseball after being drafted by the Phillies in the third round (89th overall). Sandberg hit .255 with five homers and 59 RBI in his third season in the minors last year.
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Austin Sexton
Position: Pitcher
Team: Johnson City Cardinals (Cardinals)
Height/Weight: 6-2, 185
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2014-16
2016 Stats: 0-1, 3.32 ERA, 0 SV, 19 IP, 19 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 5 BB, 13 K
Info: Austin Sexton was a weekend starter for MSU and helped the Bulldogs win the 2016 SEC Championship. Sexton was 8-3 with a 3.56 ERA, 98 strikeouts and 25 walks in 101 innings as a junior this past spring. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the 18th round (556th overall).
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Vance Tatum
Position: Pitcher
Team: Burlington Royals (Royals)
Height/Weight: 6-4, 215
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Lettered at MSU: 2014-16
2016 Stats: 2-2, 3.52 ERA, 1 SV, 30.2 IP, 33 H, 17 R, 12 ER, 11 BB, 36 K
Info: Vance “Moonlight” Tatum served as a starter and reliver for three seasons at MSU and helped the Bulldogs win the 2016 SEC Championship. Tatum had a 5.24 ERA in 17 relief appearances this past spring with 23 strikeouts and seven walks in 21.1 innings. The Olive Branch native was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 18th round (553rd overall).
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Chase Vallot
Position: Catcher
Team: Lexington Legends (Royals)
Height/Weight: 6-0, 215
Bats/Throws: Right/ Right
Signed with MSU: 2014
2016 Stats: .235 AVG, 302 AB, 71 H, 42 R, 21 2B, 0 3B, 15 HR, 46 RBI, 42 BB, 132 K, 0 SB*
Info: Chase Vallot signed with the Diamond Dogs in 2014 but opted to go pro after being selected with the 40th overall pick by the Royals. Vallot signed a $1.35 million contract and is a former Gatorade Player of the Year in Louisiana. He hit .219 with 13 homers and 40 RBI in his first full season in the minors last year.
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Paul Young
Position: Pitcher
Team: Idaho Falls Chukars (Royals)
Height/Weight: 6-2, 205
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Lettered at MSU: 2016
2016 Stats: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0 SV, 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K*
Info: Paul Young arrived at MSU out of Central Alabama Community College and redshirted the 2014 season. He pitched in two games in 2015 and 10 games this past season sporting a 8.53 ERA with 10 strikeouts and nine walks in 6.1 innings. He pitched four innings for the Brewster Whitecaps in the Cape Cod League this summer but agreed to a free agent contract with the Royals and opted not to return to Starkville for his senior season.
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Delvin Zinn
Position: Second base
Team: AZL Cubs (Cubs)
Height/Weight: 5-10, 170
Bats/Throws: Right/ Right
Played at MSU: Fall 2015
2016 Stats: .182 AVG, 33 AB, 6 H, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 12 K, 0 SB
Info: Delvin Zinn was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 28th round in 2015 but turned it down to play at MSU. He spent the following fall with the Diamond Dogs but decided to transfer to Itawamba Community College where he hit .411 with 34 RBIs as a freshman this past season. He was redrafted in the 23rd round (704th overall) by the Cubs and signed this time around.
*–Combined Minor League Statistics