2025 Fall College Baseball Reset: Mississippi State

Last year was an eventful one for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs made the NCAA tournament but fired now-former head coach Chris Lemonis, in yet another turn for the storied baseball program. But for 2026, new leadership and a new foundation are in place for Hail State.

The Returnees

There was a lot of upheaval for the Mississippi State Bulldogs in 2024. Aside from an in-season head coach dismissal, slugger Hunter Hines went pro after four years with the Bulldogs. Additionally, all three weekend starters — Pico Kohn, Karson Ligon, and Evan Siary — were drafted.

However, many of the team’s regular hitters are back for 2026.

Four of the Bulldogs’ leading hitters from 2025 — Ace Reese, Noah Sullivan, Bryce Chance, and Gehrig Frei — return. Additionally, Reed Stallman, who finished fourth in home runs (11), returned as a grad student.

Reese was arguably — and statistically, there’s not a case to make for anyone else — MSU’s best player in 2025. He finished 2025 with a .352 batting average and 21 home runs on the year. The 20-year-old finished in the top-15 (tied) in home runs among Division I players.

On the pitching side of things, sophomore pitcher Ryan McPherson is back. McPherson struck out 56 over 39.1 IP, working primarily as a reliever.

McPherson was one of two MSU players to make the USA collegiate roster this summer, alongside Ace Reese.

The Newcomers

The “big” newcomer was new head coach Brian O’Connor.

O’Connor comes over from Virginia to take over a traditional baseball powerhouse. The former UVA coach had an incredible resume, one that includes 18 NCAA appearances, seven College World Series appearances, and one national title. And, O’Connor did not come alone.

Several 2025 Cavaliers joined him in Starkville. Aidan Teel, who posted 27 extra-base hits and a .317 average last season, is now a Bulldog. So is pitcher William Kirk, the former New Jersey prepster who was one of O’Connor’s big recruits in 2024.

O’Connor also brings with him a potential future ace in Tomas Valincius. Valincius, one of the best high school prospects in the 2024 MLB Draft, didn’t go pro to fulfill his commitment to UVA. He was immediately thrust into Virginia’s weekend rotation and did well. Valinicius struck out 70 over 64.2 IP as a freshman.

He’s joined by his older brother, former Illinois outfielder Vytas Valinicius.

Sophomore hitters James Nunnallee and Chone James also come over from Charlottesville.

As for the notable freshmen, the Bulldogs managed to get one of the Parkers to campus. Jacob Parker, a former Perfect-Game All-American, was drafted in the 19th round by the Diamondbacks but did not sign.

His twin brother, JoJo Parker, was drafted in the first round by the Blue Jays this past July. JoJo was also an MSU commit.

Jacob is one of eight true freshmen. Others include Jack Bauer, the former Illinois prep star who hit triple digits as an 18-year-old left-hander, Tanner Beliveau, Parker Rhodes, and Maddox Miller.

Summary

It’s been quite the decade for MSU baseball over the last decade. Between Andy Cannizaro’s messy resignation and firing Lemonis last year, the theme for 2026 will be stability.

The good news for the Bulldogs is that the foundation is strong. Not only does MSU have a proven leader as head coach but also a bevy of talent who should help in 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Nothing, though, will ever be easy in the SEC.