STARKVILLE — Josh Lovelady never minced words in the final weeks of his Mississippi State baseball career.
Lovelady never was afraid to use the words “last time” because he appeared certain his final game in a MSU uniform also would be the last time he played organized, competitive baseball.
Lovelady’s baseball career didn’t end in the NCAA tournament’s Baton Rouge Super Regional.
On June 17, Lovelady, who wasn’t selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft earlier this month, signed a free-agent deal with MLB’s Kansas City Royals. Lovelady’s signing came days after MSU teammate Cody Brown signed with the New York Yankees. As of Thursday night, both players were awaiting assignment.
“He played his heart out every single day,” Brown said of Lovelady. “For him to get an opportunity like that, he was ecstatic. He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever shared a field with. He was very deserving of the opportunity.”
Lovelady hit .215 as a redshirt senior, a number that isn’t an immediate concern for the club. D1baseball.com’s National Prospect Writer Frankie Piliere said the Royals were one of the teams he heard from that liked Lovelady for his defense. Lovelady was widely credited, including by MSU coach Andy Cannizaro, for managing a young pitching staff that was hit hard by injuries.
While Lovelady awaits word on his destination, Brown could move into a role similar to the one he played for the Bulldogs this past season, when he saw time at left field, right field, first base, second base and third base as a senior. In games at the Yankees’ facility in Tampa, Florida, Brown has been used in left field and at third base and at second base.
“I guess anywhere I’m needed, I could play,” Brown said. “The game is definitely quicker, and I feel confident in myself to make plays wherever I’m put.”
Brown didn’t let playing multiple positions affect his production. He was fourth on the team in batting average (.323), runs (46), hits (70), and doubles (14) and second in home runs (nine) and RBIs (42). He also committed only three errors in 64 games for a .986 fielding percentage.
The loss of Brown, Lovelady, Brent Rooker, and Ryan Gridley leaves MSU with significant holes to fill for 2018. The amount of work Cannizaro and his staff will have to do remains uncertain because MSU signees are still making their decisions.
The Detroit Tigers drafted Reynaldo Rivera, a first baseman out of Chipola College in Marianna, Florida, in the second round with the 57th pick. Rivera is expected to attempt to negotiate a contract that would allow him to turn pro. Rivera hit .397 and had a .647 slugging percentage in his final season at Chipola.
Also, former Itawamba Community College standout Tyreque Reed decided Thursday to sign with MLB’s Texas Rangers. The Rangers drafted Reed, a first baseman/outfielder from Houlka, in the eighth round. Reed earned National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II All-American First Team honors this past season after leading the nation with a .504 batting average. He had 71 hits with 15 home runs, 15 doubles, and 1 triple. Reed added 57 RBIs and 53 runs.
Outside of position players, MSU is awaiting a final decision from pitcher Bryson Hutchinson, who is from Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Florida. Hutchinson was ranked the 306th prospect in the draft, according to Baseball America. The New York Mets used the 367th pick to draft Hutchinson in the 12th round.
NOTE: Former Tulane pitcher J.P. France announced Thursday night on Twitter he will play his final season of college baseball at MSU as a graduate transfer.
France started 15 times for the Green Wave last season, going 5-5 with a 3.84 earned run average. France was on the 2014 Tulane team that Jake Gautreau, new MSU assistant coach, coached as an assistant and as interim head coach.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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