Tanner Allen is headed to South Beach, a Mississippi State signee is going with him, and several key Bulldogs might just stay Bulldogs after all.
Monday’s Day 2 of the MLB First-Year Player Draft saw nine rounds, 277 picks and a whole lot of action concerning Mississippi State. Allen, two other MSU players and two Bulldog signees all heard their names called between Rounds 2 and 6.
On Sunday, right-hander Will Bednar was taken by the San Francisco Giants with pick No. 14 in the first round, while the Los Angeles Dodgers snagged MSU signee Maddux Bruns, a left-hander from UMS-Wright Prep in Alabama, with the 29th selection.
Here’s a breakdown of which MSU players and signees were drafted Monday.
Round 2, Pick 62: OF James Wood, San Diego Padres
Outfielder James Wood went to San Diego with pick No. 62 in Round 2. The Maryland native played his high school baseball at IMG Academy in Florida and offers strong tools in a 6-foot-6 frame. ESPN Insider Kiley McDaniel told The Dispatch that Wood could make it to campus in Starkville. The No. 62 pick carries a bonus of $1,102,700.
Round 3, Pick 88: SS Jordan McCants, Miami Marlins
Shortstop Jordan McCants seems likely to be staying home. The Mississippi State signee and product of Catholic High School in the Pensacola, Florida, area was taken with the No. 88 overall pick in Round 3 by the Miami Marlins. McCants’ brother TJ plays at Ole Miss, but a third-round payday could be too much for the infielder to pass up. Pick No. 88 has a slot value of $678,600.
Round 4, Pick 118: OF Tanner Allen, Miami Marlins
One of the best players in Mississippi State history is joining McCants in Miami. Right fielder Tanner Allen was selected in the fourth round by the Miami Marlins with the No. 118 overall selection, which has a slot value of $487,900. Allen was the Southeastern Conference player of the year and played a key role in helping the Bulldogs win their first national championship.
Round 5, Pick 139: RHP Eric Cerantola, Kansas City Royals
Pitcher Eric Cerantola had a rough go of things in 2021, only pitching 17.2 innings and walking 11 batters. Still, it earned him the No. 139 overall selection by Kansas City. The pick carries a $398,000 slot value.
Round 5, Pick 159: LHP Christian MacLeod, Minnesota Twins
Another Mississippi State pitcher went to an AL Central team in the fifth round as the Minnesota Twins scooped up lefty Christian MacLeod with pick No. 159. MacLeod had a tough go of things toward the end of 2021, turning in several bad starts in Super Regionals and the College World Series. The slot value for the pick is $327,200, so MacLeod could return if he hopes to make more money in 2022.
Key players not (yet) drafted
Third baseman Kamren James is perhaps the biggest maroon and white name remaining on draft boards after Monday’s action. James, draft eligible in his second year out of DeSoto Central High School, seems poised to return to Starkville.
Eastern Oklahoma State left-hander Andrew Walling implied in a tweet Monday evening he’d be coming to campus, writing “Go Dawgs” and tagging the Bulldogs’ official account. While teammate Christian McGowan was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in Round 7, Walling was not selected Monday.
Fellow MSU signees Aaron Downs, Slate Alford and Pico Kohn have yet to be drafted.
The draft concludes Tuesday with Rounds 11-20.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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