Mississippi State Produces 40 Professional Baseball Players in 2026

Mississippi State University has seen a strong year in professional baseball, with 40 alumni actively playing across Major League Baseball and minor leagues, according to a release from the school. Among these players are eight current MLB athletes, including All-Stars Adam Frazier, Brent Rooker, Jordan Westburg and Brandon Woodruff, as well as World Series champion Nathaniel Lowe.

Over the school’s history, MSU has produced 71 Major League players and 20 first-round draft picks. The list of notable recent alumni includes Rooker, Westburg, Justin Foscue, Will Bednar, Landon Sims and Jurrangelo Cijntje. Mississippi State’s athletic website, HailState.com, provides weekly updates on how these players are performing in their professional careers.

Some of the most recent MSU alumni in MLB include Justin Foscue, who was recalled by the Texas Rangers on May 5 and hit his first MLB home run on May 9. Adam Frazier, with the Los Angeles Angels, recorded a pinch-hit RBI double on May 9. Nathaniel Lowe of the Cincinnati Reds went 2-for-4 with a solo homer at the Cubs on May 5. Brent Rooker, with the Oakland Athletics, has been hot lately, hitting .321 over his last seven games.

Other players are currently sidelined due to injuries. Jordan Westburg of the Baltimore Orioles is on the 60-day injured list with a UCL sprain, while Brandon Woodruff of the Milwaukee Brewers is on the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation. Despite injuries, these athletes continue to make an impact at various levels of professional baseball.

Minor league affiliates also feature several former Bulldogs, such as Jurrangelo Cijntje, who made his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on May 6, and others competing in Triple-A, Double-A, Single-A and rookie leagues. Their performances, including wins, ERA, strikeouts and injury updates, are tracked weekly as they pursue their baseball ambitions.

Source: Original Article