With 11 selections, Mississippi State had more players taken in this year’s MLB Draft than any other college team. That group includes eight pitchers, a testament to the work pitching coach Justin Parker put in during his first season with the Bulldogs.

Those drafted in the top 10 rounds are almost certain to sign and begin their professional careers, while players drafted later have until Aug. 1 to decide whether to sign with the teams that selected them or return to school.

Right-handed pitcher Colby Holcombe was MSU’s final pick on Monday, going to the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth round. Before the season, Holcombe was thought to be a candidate for the Bulldogs’ Friday starting role, but he ended up making just one start with 11 relief appearances. The numbers were unsightly — a 10.38 ERA and a .302 opponents’ batting average — but the raw talent remains there.

Junior Tyson Hardin and senior Tyler Davis were perhaps the two pitchers who made the greatest leap this past spring under Parker, forming the back end of MSU’s bullpen down the stretch. Hardin lowered his ERA from 12.81 in 2023 to 3.22 in 2024 and gave up just one home run after surrendering eight the year prior. The Milwaukee Brewers selected Hardin in the 12th round on Tuesday.

Davis was the Bulldogs’ primary closer late in the year, saving five games, and his ERA was a miniscule 1.27 before a catastrophic ninth inning in the NCAA regionals against Virginia raised it to 2.80. The left-hander also allowed just one homer in 35 1/3 innings and held opponents to a .211 batting average, enticing the Kansas City Royals to select him in the 15th round.

Senior outfielder Connor Hujsak, a clutch performer throughout the year and MSU’s best hitter in Southeastern Conference play, went to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 13th round. Hujsak had a career year in 2024, batting .387 and slugging .656 in SEC games. After missing the final seven games of the regular season, he delivered back-to-back game-winning hits in the SEC Tournament, including a walk-off home run against rival Ole Miss.

Shortstop David Mershon had to wait until the 18th round to hear his name called before the Los Angeles Angels selected the sophomore. Mershon batted .347 this past spring with more walks than strikeouts as well as 27 stolen bases while playing excellent defense. With only two college seasons under his belt, Mershon could opt to come back to MSU for his junior year, depending on how much money the Angels offer him.

The Cleveland Guardians took Cam Schuelke in the 19th round following the reliever’s first season with the Bulldogs. Schuelke was one of MSU’s busiest relievers, appearing in 32 games with 47 innings pitched and a 4.21 ERA. Formerly of Northwood University and the College of Central Florida, Schuelke is best known for throwing from three different arm slots — overhand, sidearm and submarine. He still has one year of eligibility remaining.

The Bulldogs recently landed former Kentucky pitcher Travis Smith in the transfer portal, and Smith was drafted by the Brewers in the 15th round. Smith was the Wildcats’ midweek starter for most of this past season but did not pitch much down the stretch and had a 6.21 ERA.

Notably absent from the list of draftees is first baseman Hunter Hines, whose offensive numbers dipped somewhat from his 2023 season but was still one of the SEC’s most feared power hitters. Hines was a top-200 draft prospect according to MLB Pipeline, but after going undrafted, he will be returning to Starkville for his final collegiate campaign in 2025.

Sophomore outfielder Bryce Chance also was not drafted and is likely back in the fold for next year. Infielders Amani Larry and Logan Kohler went undrafted as well, but have both exhausted their eligibility.