#5) Mississippi State

Rounding out the preseason top 5, we have Mississippi State. This year marks a new era in Starkville under the leadership of Brian O’Connor, the national title-winning coach who arrived from Virginia. O’Conner did a great job of keeping talent from hitting the portal, bringing in high-level transfers, and producing one of the top-ranked freshmen classes.

Offensive Returners:

• Ace Reese: The 2025 SEC Newcomer of the Year and 1st team All-SEC selection where he posted a .352 average, 1.140 OPS, and 21 home runs. Reece projects as a top 20 pick in the 26 draft.
• Noah Sullivan: Hit .342 and led the team with a 145 wRC+ last season. Posted a 1.96 ERA in 7 starts on the mound.
• Bryce Chance: An experienced OF that hit .332 last season.

• Gehrig Frei: Hit .345 last season with the 3rd highest wRC+ on the team.

Key Transfers & Freshmen:

• Tommy Valincius (Virginia): ransferred from Virginia and expected to slide into the Friday night role.
• Aiden Teel (Virginia) Hit .317 with a .979 OPS last season.
• Blake Bevis (Ball State): B2B All-MAC selection that features power. Can play 1B and OF.
• Tyler Pitzer (South Carolina): Won the 2025 Cape Cod Pitcher of the Year Award. He may be a weekend starter. If not he will own a high leverage role in the pen.
• Drew Wyers (Bryant): 2025 America East Player of the Year
• James Nunnalee (Virginia): Hit .296 in the ACC as a Freshman. I am not sure if he will start, but adds depth.
• Vytas Valincius (Illinois): All Big Ten 2nd team in 2025. Adds depth.
• Maddox Webb (Citadel) & Jackson Logar (JMU): Two transfer arms that project to add depth to the bullpen.

Returning Pitchers:

Keeping Justin Parker was massive for Mississippi State. He served as interim head coach to end last season, posting an 11-4 record and won eight of the final nine SEC games to reach the finals of the Tallahassee Regional.

• Ryan McPherson: Off a Freshman campaign where he finished with a 4-1 record, 4.12 ERA, and 3 saves in 20 appearances. He is set to join Valincius as a weekend starter.
• Charlie Foster: A tall LHP that showed flashes as a freshman last year. He may get the first crack at being the Sunday starter.
• Ben Davis: Experienced arm that posted a 3.77 ERA and 3.43 FIP last season. He may join the rotation, but likely the closer.

This team has tons of depth. It was a disappointing final season at Virginia for Brian O’Connor, but he has tons of experience and knows how to win. I expect him to fit right in the SEC. The staff has the pieces and Justin Parker is one of the best pitching coaches in college baseball. Ace Reese and Noah Sullivan are two of the top returning players in the conference. The talent is there if the transfers come in and deliver to expectations. I have already invested in a ticket for Mississippi State to win the CWS.