The rich tradition of Mississippi State producing professional baseball players continues in 2024.
The Diamond Dawgs currently have 40 alumni active in pro ball, including 11in Major League Baseball. Among those in The Show are former All-Stars Adam Frazier, Brent Rooker and Brandon Woodruff, former first-round picks Rooker, Hunter Renfroe, Ethan Small, Chris Stratton and Jordan Westburgand 2023 Gold Glove winner Nathaniel Lowe.
MSU also has two alums coaching in professional baseball this year in New York Yankees first base coach Travis Chapman (1997-2000) and Carlisle Koestler (2020-21), who is a pitching at the Texas Rangers' pro baseball academy in the Dominican Republic.
Each week, HailState.com tracks how the Bulldogs are performing #FromStateToTheShow.
DIAMOND DAWGS IN MLB
ADAM FRAZIER – KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Pos. 2B Height: 5-10 Weight: 180 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2011-13
AVG: .225AB:129H:29R:162B:63B:0HR:2RBI:10BB:15SB:2OPS: .638
Notes:Frazier is hitting .385 over his last seven games including a pair of doubles and a homer.
KENDALL GRAVEMAN – HOUSTON ASTROS
Pos. RP Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2010-13
Record:n/aERA:n/aG:n/aGS:n/aSV:n/aIP:n/aK:n/aBB:n/a
Notes:Gravemanis expected to miss the 2024 season while recovering from shoulder surgery.
DAKOTA HUDSON – COLORADO ROCKIES
Pos. P Height: 6-5 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2014-16
Record:2-8ERA:4.87G:13GS:13SV: 0 IP:68.1K:36BB:35
Notes:Hudson has limited hitters to a .197 batting average on the road this season.
NATHANIEL LOWE – TEXAS RANGERS
Pos. 1B Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2016
AVG:.258AB:159H:41R:192B:63B:0HR:2RBI:20BB:26SB:1OPS:.693
Notes: Lowewalked and doubled against the Giants on June 9.
HUNTER RENFROE – KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Pos. OF Height: 6-1 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2011-13
AVG: .200AB:170H:34R:222B:103B: 0 HR:6RBI:26BB:16SB: 1OPS: .638
Notes: Renfroeis batting .409 over his last seven games with two homers and nine RBIsbut is currently on the injured list.
BRENT ROOKER – OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Pos. OF Height: 6-4 Weight: 225 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2014-17
AVG: .258AB:209H:54R:262B:123B:1HR:13RBI:40BB:24SB:2OPS: .852
Notes:Rookerhit a solo homer against the Blue Jays on June 9.
ETHAN SMALL – SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Pos. RP Height: 6-4 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2016, 18-19
Record: n/aERA:n/aG:n/aGS: n/aSV:n/aIP:n/aK:n/aBB:n/a
Notes:Small is on the 60-day injured list with a strained oblique.
CHRIS STRATTON – KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Pos. RP Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2010-12
Record:2-3ERA:5.28G:26GS: 0 SV:3IP:29K:27BB:19
Notes:Strattonhas been perfect in his last two relief outings, tossing two scoreless innings without allowing a baserunner.
JORDAN WESTBURG –BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Pos. 3B Height: 6-3 Weight: 203 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2018-20
AVG: .279AB:240H:67R:352B:133B:5HR:10RBI:39BB:16SB:6OPS:.833
Notes:From June 7-9, Westburg went6-for-14 with a double, two triples, one home run and three RBIs at the Rays.
BRANDON WOODRUFF – MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 243 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2012-14
Record:n/aERA:n/aG:n/aGS:n/aSV:n/aIP:n/aK:n/aBB:n/a
Notes:Woodruffis expected to miss the 2024 season while recovering from shoulder surgery.
DIAMOND DAWGS IN TRIPLE-A
GAVIN COLLINS – MEMPHIS REDBIRDS(CARDINALS)
Pos. CHeight:5-11 Weight:205Bats/Throws:R/RLettered at MSU: 2014-16
AVG: .169AB:59H:10R:52B:43B:0HR:4RBI:10BB:5SB:0OPS: .687
Notes:Collinsh*t a three-run homer at Omaha on June 7.
J.P. FRANCE – SUGAR LAND SPACE COWBOYS (ASTROS)
Pos. P Height: 6-0 Weight: 216 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2018
MLB
Record:0-3ERA:7.46G:5GS:5SV: 0 IP:25.1K:22BB:12
MiLB
Record:0-0ERA:7.36G:1GS:1SV:0IP:3.2K:3BB:4
Notes: Franceis currently on the injured list.
J.T. GINN– LAS VEGAS AVIATORS(ATHLETICS)
Pos. SP Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: R/RLettered at MSU:2019-20
Record:4-1ERA:4.86G:10GS:9SV: 0 IP:46.1K:47BB:15*
Notes:Ginn has struck out 19 batters and walked only five in 16 innings since being promoted to Triple-A.
ZAC HOUSTON– LEHIGH VALLEY IRONPIGS(PHILLIES)
Pos. RP Height: 6-5 Weight: 260 Bats/Throws: R/RLettered at MSU:2014-16
Record:2-1ERA:11.08G:13GS:0SV:0IP:13K:18BB:14
Notes:Houstonhas limitedhittersto a .200 batting average against him during day games this year.
JAKE MANGUM – DURHAM BULLS(RAYS)
Pos. OF Height: 6-1 Weight: 179 Bats/Throws: S/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-19
AVG: .280AB:100H:28R:112B:13B:1HR:2RBI:15BB:5SB:3OPS:.697
Notes:Mangum returned from the injured list against Charlotte on June 13 and collected a single, stole onebase and scored a run.
KONNOR PILKINGTON – RENO ACES (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. SP Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2016-18
Record:2-3ERA:6.52G:16GS:9SV: 0 IP:38.2K:42BB:27
Notes:Pilkingtonhas pitched 60 career innings in the Major Leagues.
HUNTER STOVALL– ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES(ROCKIES)
Pos. 2B Height: 5-8 Weight: 170 Bats/Throws:R/R Lettered at MSU: 2016-18
AVG: .259AB:112H:29R:152B:53B:0HR:3RBI:13BB:9SB:2OPS:.698
Notes:Stovallwent 2-for-3 with a walk, double, homer and a pair of RBIsagainst El Paso on June 12.
DIAMOND DAWGS IN DOUBLE-A
TANNER ALLEN – PENSACOLA BLUE WAHOOS (MARLINS)
Pos. OF Height: 5-11 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2018-21
AVG: .241AB:112H:27R:152B:93B:0HR:1RBI:10BB:11SB:3OPS: .673
Notes:Allen went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and an RBI against Mississippi on June 9.
ERIC CERANTOLA– NORTHWEST ARKANSAS NATURALS (ROYALS)
Pos. P Height: 6-5 Weight: 225 Bats/Throws: R/RLettered at MSU:2019-21
Record:2-3ERA:2.74G:12GS:7SV:0IP:46K:62BB:36
Notes:Cerantola has held hitters to a .172 batting average against him this yearand .207 over four Minor League seasons.
HOUSTON HARDING– ROCKET CITY TRASH PANDAS(ANGELS)
Pos: RP Height: 6-1 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: L/LLettered at MSU:2020-21
Record:0-1ERA:7.41G:6GS:4SV:0IP:17K:9BB:9*
Notes: Harding has only allowed one baserunnerand has yet to surrender a hit or run at the Double-A level this season.
ROWDEY JORDAN – BINGHAMTON RUMBLE PONIES (METS)
Pos. OF Height: 5-10 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: S/R Lettered at MSU: 2018-21
AVG: .249AB:173H:43R: 222B:93B:0HR:4RBI:21BB:15SB:8OPS: .691
Notes: Jordan has a hit in five-straight games including a two-run homer against Somerset on June 13.
COLBY WHITE – SOMERSET PATRIOTS(YANKEES)
Pos. RP Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2019
Record:1-2ERA:13.83G:16GS:1SV: 0 IP:13.2K:18BB:21*
Notes: White pitched a1 1/3 innings of relief without allowing an earned run, surrendering one hit and striking out one at Binghamton on June 12.
R.J. YEAGER – SPRINGFIELD CARDINALS(CARDINALS)
Pos.1BHeight:6-3 Weight:200 Bats/Throws:R/R Lettered at MSU: 2022
AVG:.241AB:199H:48R:282B:103B:0HR:6RBI:31BB:12SB:1OPS:.668
Notes:Yeager has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games including a 2-for-4 showing with a double and one RBI against Northwest Arkansas on June 12.
DIAMOND DAWGS IN SINGLE-A
WILL BEDNAR– EUGENE EMERALDS (GIANTS)
Pos. SP Height: 6-2 Weight: 230 Bats/Throws: R/RLettered at MSU:2020-21
Record:1-1ERA:3.57G:9GS:7SV:0IP:17.2K:27BB:10*
Notes:Bednar has held batters to a .105 average against him during the month of June and .177 for the season.
KELLUM CLARK – BROOKLYN CYCLONES (METS)
Pos. OF Height:6-4Weight:205Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2021-23
AVG: .194AB:31H:6R:42B:03B:1HR:0RBI:6BB:11SB:0OPS: .663
Notes:Clarkhad a two-run single against Aberdeen on June 7.
BRAD CUMBEST– ACL ROCKIES (ROCKIES)
Pos. OF Height: 6-6 Weight: 235 Bats/Throws: R/RLettered at MSU:2019-22
AVG: .327AB:55H:18R:122B:43B:3HR:1RBI:13BB:7SB: 0OPS:1.005
Notes:Cumbestwent 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and two RBIsagainst the ACL Athletics on June 13.
JUSTIN FOSCUE –ACL RANGERS (RANGERS)
Pos. 2B Height: 6-0 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R Lettered at MSU: 2018-20
AVG:.500AB:2H:1R:02B:03B:0HR:0RBI:1BB:0SB:0OPS:1.000
MiLBAVG:.304AB:23H:7R:22B:13B:0HR:1RBI:4BB:3SB:1OPS:.863*
Notes:Foscuehit a solo homer against the ACL Giants on June 7as part of a rehab assignment.
JACKSON FRISTOE– HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES (YANKEES)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: R/RLettered at MSU:2021-23
Record:1-2ERA:3.58G:10GS:10SV: 0 IP:32.2K:34BB:26
Notes:Fristoehas made two starts this month going 1-0 with a 0.93 ERA and held hitters to a .167 batting average.
K.C. HUNT – WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS(BREWERS)
Pos. P Height: 6-3Weight: 200 Bats/Throws: L/RLettered at MSU:2021-22
Record:5-0ERA:1.80G:13GS:2SV:1IP:40K:62BB:6*
Notes:Huntpicked up a win firingsix shutout innings and only allowed one hit while striking out eight and walking one at Wilmington on June 13. He has the second-highest strikeout rate in all of Minor League Baseball.
KAMREN JAMES– BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS(RAYS)
Pos.3BHeight: 6-2 Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/RLettered at MSU:2020-22
AVG:.174AB:86H:15R:92B:23B:0HR:3RBI:9BB:4SB:3OPS: .539
Notes:Jamesis currently on the injured list.
PRESTON JOHNSON– ABERDEEN IRONBIRDS(ORIOLES)
Pos. P Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Bats/Throws: R/RLettered at MSU:2021-22
Record:2-3ERA:6.00G:12GS:3SV:0IP:36K:44BB:28
Notes: Johnson has held hitters to a .185 batting average across eight innings of work this month.
COLTON LEDBETTER – BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS(RAYS)
Pos. OF Height:6-2Weight:205Bats/Throws: L/R Lettered at MSU: 2023
AVG: .229AB:175H:40R:282B:93B:2HR:9RBI:33BB:21SB:12OPS:.769
Notes:Ledbetterhit four homers and drove in seven runs in back-to-back games at Ashland on June 8-9.
CHRISTIAN MACLEOD – CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (TWINS)
Pos. SP Height: 6-4 Weight: 227 Bats/Throws: L/L Lettered at MSU: 2020-21
Record:0-1ERA:3.48G:7GS:7SV: 0 IP:20.2K:20BB:17
Notes:MacLeod has limited hitters to a .207 batting average against him at home this season.
AARON NIXON – TAMPA TARPONS (YANKEES)
Pos. RP Height: 6-0Weight: 210Bats/Throws:R/RLettered at MSU: 2023
Record:2-1ERA:4.37G:20GS: 0SV:2IP:35K:35BB:25
Notes:Nixon earned the win at Clearwater on June 12, pitching 2 1/3 innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts and only surrendering one hit.
LANDON SIMS– HILLSBORO HOPS (DIAMONDBACKS)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 227 Bats/Throws: R/RLettered at MSU:2020-22
Record:2-0ERA:4.21G:17GS:1SV: 1 IP:25.2K:40BB:15*
Notes:Simshas thrown five scoreless innings of relief, struck out 10 and only given up one hit this month. He was promoted to High-A on June 11.
CADE SMITH – TAMPA TARPONS (YANKEES)
Pos. SP Height: 6-1Weight:190Bats/Throws:L/RLettered at MSU: 2021-23
Record:3-4ERA:2.85G:11GS:10SV:0IP:53.2K:68BB:24
Notes:Smith earned the win in a five-inning start against Fort Myers on June 9 where he fanned 11 batters, matching his season-high.
LOGAN TANNER–DAYTON DRAGONS (REDS)
Pos. C Height: 6-0 Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/RLettered at MSU:2020-22
AVG:.178AB:129H:23R:172B:63B:1HR:3RBI:10BB:21SB: 0 OPS: .608
Notes:Tanner went 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI against Great Lakes on June 12.
ANDREW WALLING– JERSEY SHORE BLUECLAWS(PHILLIES)
Pos. P Height: 6-2 Weight: 220 Bats/Throws: L/LLettered at MSU:2022
Record:4-0ERA:1.85G:21GS: 0 SV:2IP:24.1K:30BB:18
Notes:Wallingearned the win in relief at Greensboro on June 8, recording all three outs via strikeouts in his inning of work.
*Combined Minor League Stats
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