STARKVILLE — Ethan Small already has his plans set for this weekend.
The Mississippi State pitcher learned Monday, though, a little bit more about his future, as the Milwaukee Brewers selected the redshirt junior left-hander with the No. 28 overall pick in the first round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft.
Small, a 6-foot-3, 214-pounder from Lexington, Tennessee, is 9-2 with a 1.88 earned run average in 16 starts this season for No. 6 national seed MSU (49-13), which will play host to No. 11 national seed Stanford (45-12) this weekend in the best-of-three Super Regionals in Starkville.
“I wanted to help my team win the game,” Small said. “That is what it really comes down to. It is not about the draft or the punch-outs. It has never been about that. It is about being thankful for the opportunity to go out there and make the most of it.”
On Saturday, Small, the 2019 Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year, became the third member of MSU’s 300-strikeout club after he struck out 10 in a 7-2 victory against Central Michigan in the NCAA tournament’s Starkville Regional. Small allowed five hits and two runs (both earned) and walked three in six innings.
As MSU’s ace this year, Small has posted one of the program’s best seasons. Small’s 160 strikeouts are second on the MSU single-season charts. All 16 of his starts have lasted at least five innings, while 12 have been six innings or longer. He also boasts 11 double-digit strikeout games.
“Where do I start,” Small tweeted Monday night. “I’m so beyond thankful to have been embraced by such a great culture at MSU. To everyone who has reached out, thank you. I will respond as soon as I can. To the Brewers organization, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Now let’s win the thing!”
Small’s most recent display of excellence came in a seven-inning, three-hit gem against No. 2 Vanderbilt in the SEC tournament in Hoover, Alabama. Although MSU lost 1-0, Small struck out 11, including two of MLB draft No. 4 overall pick JJ Bleday.
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Small in the 26th round in 2018 before he returned to MSU.
Small is the 15th Bulldog to be chosen in the first round of the MLB draft.
Aaron Fitt, a national writer for D1 Baseball, said on Twitter he “loved” the Brewers’ decision to pick Small.
“What a value at No. 28 — the fastball is overpowering thanks to its deception, angle and his ability to command it,” Fitt tweeted Monday night. “(He) has a rare ability to manipulate the changeup. Had a scout comp(are) him to (former University of Georgia and current Cincinnati Reds left-hander) Alex Wood earlier this year b/c of how the FB plays.”
Small also earned high praise on MLB.com, which provided a breakdown of all of the first-round picks.
“Small hit 96 mph with his fastball as a freshman, but he had trouble throwing strikes and then had Tommy John surgery,” MLB.com wrote. “Since his return, he’s pitched more from 86-92 mph, but guys just don’t touch his fastball. Small’s high three-quarters arm slot, some crossfire in his delivery, and his ability to alter his tempo throw off hitters’ timing. His changeup is his second-best pitch, and his fastball is so good that there are games where he barely has to use his curve.”
Small joins an organization that has developed former MSU pitcher Brandon Woodruff, who was selected in the 11th round of the 2014 MLB draft. Woodruff, a right-hander, spent four-plus years in the Brewers’ minor league system before being promoted. Now in his third season with Milwaukee, Woodruff is 7-1 with a 3.82 ERA in 12 games (12 starts).
Small hopes to follow a similar path. Last season, Small was 5-4 with a 3.20 ERA for MSU. He allowed 93 hits and struck out 122 in 101 1/3 innings. Small missed the 2017 season after having Tommy John surgery. He was 1-0 with a 13.06 ERA in 15 games (10 1/3 innings) for the Bulldogs as a freshman in 2016.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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