Mississippi State Bulldogs
· 2026-07-14
Mississippi State Bulldogs' 2027 roster remains intact despite the 2026 MLB Draft's impact on the team. The Bulldogs had four players from the 2026 team drafted, but two of them, Ben Davis and Bryce Chance, were out of college eligibility. Ace Reese was a first-round pick by the Seattle Mariners, an expected loss for the Bulldogs. Aidan Teel was picked in the 11th round by the Minnesota Twins and will have a decision to make.
The 2026 MLB Draft left a mark on Mississippi State baseball's roster, but not a massive one. The Bulldogs had four players from the 2026 team drafted, with two of them being out of college eligibility. Ace Reese, a first-round pick by the Seattle Mariners, is an expected loss for the Bulldogs. Aidan Teel, picked in the 11th round by the Minnesota Twins, has a decision to make.
Mississippi State's top three signees, according to Perfect Game's rankings, were all drafted in the first 10 rounds, which usually indicates they will sign pro contracts. Shortstop Rocco Maniscalco was a second-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals, catcher Will Brick went in the fourth round to the Toronto Blue Jays, and outfielder Martin Shelar was picked in the ninth round by the Boston Red Sox. Denton Lord, a 6-foot-8 pitcher, was also drafted in the 17th round by the San Diego Padres, but it came after he announced he'll be playing at Mississippi State.
The recruiting class, which was ranked No. 6 nationally by Perfect Game before the MLB draft, is in a very good spot. Of those five combine participants who'll play at Mississippi State, four of them are right-handed pitchers: Lord, Wilson Andersen, Landon Brown, and Jake Carbaugh. Shortstop Noah Danza will also play for Mississippi State after withdrawing from the MLB draft before it started. Those pitchers in particular should round out what will be the Bulldogs' strength in 2027. All three starting pitchers -- Tomas Valincius, Ryan McPherson, and Duke Stone -- are back for another season until they're eligible for the 2027 draft. MSU also returns standout freshmen relievers Jack Bauer, Maddox Miller, and Parker Rhodes.
Aidan Teel has a decision to make. Teel, who made 38 starts at center field in 2026, was drafted but has college eligibility remaining. So, he must decide whether to sign with the Minnesota Twins or return to Mississippi State. The pick does not have a slot value because it was after the 10th round. If Teel does return, he'd likely compete to be Mississippi State's starting center fielder. That's where he began the season but eventually fell out of the lineup in May. Teel would be a redshirt senior at Mississippi State.
The deadline for draft picks to sign contracts is July 27 at 4 p.m. CT. Kevin Milewski went undrafted. Catcher Kevin Milewski was in a similar situation as Teel where he could've been drafted or return to Mississippi State. Milewski, however, was not drafted. That means Milewski is likely coming back to Mississippi State, barring an undrafted free agent contract. That money would presumably be less than what he'd get at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs landed Oregon starting catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus in the transfer portal, so the two of them would compete for the starting job.
Mississippi State's next game is scheduled for September 5 against the UL Monroe Warhawks. The Bulldogs will look to bounce back from the MLB draft losses and focus on the upcoming season. With a strong recruiting class and returning players, the team is in a good position to succeed in 2027.