This is an elite high school baseball class with solid junior college players

[Xusuromohses]

Jordan Anderson and Owen Lovell were thought to be the tops of the class, and they ended up being the guys who did not get drafted. Josh Hatcher, Tanner Allen and Chad Bryant were all thought highly enough of to be drafted. Justin Foscue, Zane Stephens, Cam Voss, Rowdey Jordan and Jordan Westburg are just gravy.

Alex Pener and Marshall Gilbert will contend for starting positions immediately. Cole Marsh, John Mason and Jared Liebelt should contend immediately. Injuries are probably the only reason we are able to get Marsh and Mason on campus.

I love seeing us raid the state of Alabama.

Combine all of that with at least one player at nearly every position already, and that has the makings of a serious contender next spring.

Yes, we will lose a number of the signees, but not single one was not expected. The way I see it, we gained one that we didn't expect (Jordan Anderson). Gridley was expected to leave too, and I cannot even try to explain how huge it is to (likely) have Mangum back again.

As I type this, Jordan Anderson is drafted. 4 guys. That is pretty stout.

 

[Shmuley]

Seshomorusux? Really?

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Hey goat.

 

[57stratdawg]

+1 for creativity

 

[TheStateUofMS]

How many are going to stay?

 

[engie]

That's what he listed. He didn't list the 6 we are likely to lose.

 

[Hankp22]

Baseball 2018

How many are going to stay?

Now the draft is over, we can somewhat begin anticipating what our lineup will look like next year. The below list is based on what we currently have on campus. Please feel free to add if I miss anyone. I'm typing this on the fly. Really just wanted to get the discussion going.

C: Skelton
1b: Gordon (Bragg, Mac) ---- There are a number of options here. It depends on whether or not Grid leaves.
2b. Stovall
SS. Alexander (I am going to assume Grid leaves. It would be huge to get him back obviously.)
3b. Bragg
OF. Mac (Blaylock)
OF. Mangum
OF. Vansau (Poole)

SP: Pilkington
SP: Ashcraft
SP: McQuary
SP: Billingsley

RP: Plumlee (though I could see him making a run at a weekend rotation spot)
RP: Self
RP: Price
RP: Gordon
RP: Barlow
RP: Jolly

Injuries: There are a number of very talented guys listed below. If they rehab and return to form, our staff will be LOADED. Share any updates if you have them.

Padgett, Rigby, Smith, Small, James, Hughes, Breaux, Marze

Draft Risks:

Gridley (RD 11)
Q Holmes (pick 33)
Rivera (rd 2)
Bacon (4th rd)
McMahon (4th rd)
Tyreque Reed (rd 8)
Bryce Hutchinson (12 rd)

Hopefully we can get lucky with Hutchinson. He would be a huge addition. It would be huge to get Gridley back but I'm doubtful. Hutchinson or Reed would add immediate pop in our lineup but my guess is they are both doubtful at the moment.

Newcomers like Tanner Allen and Jordan Anderson can come in and compete right away. Getting a guy like Anderson on campus is huge. And he will be fun to watch in the aggressive approach Cannizarro has. Add Owen Lovell to thie mix and we will have some interesting competitions in the fall. Lovell is also a guy that many will consider an immediate contributor. Josh Hatcher is an OF that hits from the left side and had scholarship offers to some big time programs. He has a 6'2 frame to build on and seems to have some pop. A guy like John Mason will be another interesting name to watch. He had arm issues which may have prevented him from being drafted initially. But he throws in the mid 90s. Looking ahead to next year, Marshall Gilbert has a chance to compete at the C position. It's too bad Elih failed to get his act together. But the C position will be interesting to watch moving forward.

I was glad to see this thread started. I'm excited about the next few years of MSU baseball. It was huge to get Mangum back. And I think a few of those listed above could really develop some pop at the plate. I'm excited to see what Cannizaro can do with a full year under his belt. I would like to see Luke Alexander and Blaylock have rebound years. I feel like the talent is there for both of them. Alexander was great for the first 6 weeks of the year and his glove is A+. I'm excited about the direction and was curious to get the "next year" conversation underway.

 

[stateu1]

I don't expect Billingsly back.

 

[Xusuromohses]

Skelton is going to hit next year, whether or not he's at C, 3B or DH is yet to be determined. The problem is, we only have 2 catchers, so I would imagine he'll have to practice there, and maybe step up and play 3B or C (depending on what Marshall Gilbert does) his junior year before getting drafted again. This is about the surest of predictions I can make. We know we'll be strong up the middle with Mangum, Alexander, Stovall and Skelton/Gilbert. That's pretty set in stone.

Gene says we are going to base our pitching staff around Pilkington, James, Small, Padgett, Hughes and Ashcraft, with Self, Price and Smith at the back end of the bullpen. Who knows who he got that from.

Good news is, we've got a pretty good team with ONLY returners. Any signees that add anything will just be extra.

 

[philduckworth]

We have some talented outfielders. 3 returning starters and 3 good prospects. Gotta think one of those guys can take care of DH.

C: gilbert/skelton
1B: Pener/Bragg
2B: Stovall
SS: LA
3B: Bragg/Skelton/McQuary

Jordan Westburg is the wildcard

Rotation: KP, Hughes, Ashcraft

Relief: Small, Self, Price, B. Smith, and Plumlee

 

[Hankp22]

We have some talented outfielders. 3 returning starters and 3 good prospects. Gotta think one of those guys can take care of DH.

C: gilbert/skelton
1B: Pener/Bragg
2B: Stovall
SS: LA
3B: Bragg/Skelton/McQuary

Jordan Westburg is the wildcard

Rotation: KP, Hughes, Ashcraft

Relief: Small, Self, Price, B. Smith, and Plumlee

What is the word on Rigby? And I am also curious on Small, Padgett and James. All three of them have potential to be electric.

Thinking about the OF, I saw where Jordan Anderson is a 6.4/60 guy. You throw that out there with Mangum, and we will cover a ton of ground. Knowing our aggressive approach, it is fun to think about a lineup that rolls over with Anderson (9th), Stovall (1st) and Mangum (2nd).

 

[Xusuromohses]

What is the word on Rigby?

Nobody knows. That's the short answer.