For the second consecutive year following their 2021 National Championship triumph, Mississippi State fell short of the SEC Tournament. They finished the season with a 27-26 record and a mere 9 conference wins, landing them 6th in the West division. This marks one of the team’s poorest performances in recent memory, causing significant hardship for the players and the program alike. The draft dealt a heavy blow to the Bulldogs, snatching away two of their starting fielders, Kallum Clark and Cade Smith, along with one of their starting pitchers, also named Cade Smith, and key bullpen arm Aaron Nixon.
Photo Cred: Mississippi State
Additionally, they lost two top prospects, Lane Forsythe to transfers and Luke Hancock to graduation. As they head into the 2024 season, Mississippi State’s lineup faces the daunting task of compensating for these losses. While they retain three key players from last year—Jordan Dakota, Hunter Hines, and Amani Larry—whose individual contributions were notable, they represent only a fraction of the puzzle. Supporting them are teammates such as Slade Alford, Connor Hujsak, Bryce Chance, and David Mershon, who are expected to step up after playing lesser roles last season.
Furthermore, the team welcomes new additions, including both freshmen and transfers like Memphis-transfer Logan Kohler and highly touted prospect Dylan Cupp, who are anticipated to make immediate impacts. Despite the challenges, pitching appears to be a relative strength for the Bulldogs in 2024. While they suffered losses in the pitching department, several arms return with a hunger for expanded roles.
Photo Cred: Bull Dog Blitz
Ace Jurrangelo Cijntje resumes his position after tallying 13 starts last year, alongside Purdue transfer Khal Stephen, who brings experience and depth to the rotation. Additionally, the bullpen, reminiscent of last year’s setup, sees the return of arms like Cole Cheatham, Even Siary, Colby Holcombe, and Tyson Hardin, augmented by promising freshmen such as Nolan Stevens and KK Clark. Transfers like Miami’s Karson Ligon further bolster the pitching staff, providing depth and versatility as the Bulldogs navigate the challenges of the upcoming season.
