As Mississippi State begins preparations for the much-anticipated 2026 season, the expectations for Brian O’Connor’s first season at the helm are fuelled by an impressive young group of players reeling in preseason honors.
The Bulldog squad features five freshmen and five sophomores recognized in the Perfect Game USA Top 100 for their respective classes, with pitcher Jack Bauer considered the top freshman in the country in the preseason list.
Fellow freshmen Parker Rhodes (23rd), Maddox Miller (25th), Tanner Beliveau (60th), Jacob Parker (75th), and Peter Mershon (95th) rounded out the Diamond Dawgs on the freshman 100.
Bauer was considered the top high school recruit in the country coming out of Lincoln Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois. The freshman lefty owns the record for fastest pitch thrown by a prep pitcher, clocked at 103 miles per hour, and allowed just five runs with a 1.22 ERA over 28.1 innings pitched as a senior.
Named after Kiefer Sutherland’s character in the popular television show “24”, Bauer dons the same number on his shirt at MSU.
The sophomore group features Ryan McPherson (24th), James Nunnalee (33rd), Tomas Valincius (34th), Duke Stone (56th) and Charlie Foster (68th).
The Bulldogs enter the 2026 campaign ranked inside the Top 5 in several polls, sitting No. 4 in both the ESPN and D1 Baseball preseason polls. MSU begins the season with a three-game series against Hofstra Feb. 13-15 at Dudy Noble Field.
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