In order for teams to make a real run at Omaha, they need some guys to step up and have career quality years. State has some building blocks from a season ago in place. A talented portal class is on campus along with a high school and junior college class that has some real bite.
All of those groups will factor into the quality of the Mississippi State 2025 season. In order for the Bulldogs to get back to the College World Series they will need contributions from all players no matter which category they fall into.
Over the course of the last three days, we have featured returners, transfers and freshmen. Today, we take a look at some guys who could be X factors for the Diamond Dawgs. All five are extremely talented and could end up being major contributors.
Stone Simmons – During a Sunday afternoon affair down at Tulane in 2022, Simmons threw a ten-pitch inning to retire the Green Wave in order to close out the 8th. The Bulldogs led 10-8 at the time. When the Bulldogs returned to the Diamond in the 9th, Simmons did not come back out with them. Ultimately the game and series were lost in the 10th. Simmons has not pitched in a real college game since that fateful day. He missed the entire 2023 season to recover from that Tommy John surgery in 2022. Just when it seemed he was ready to roll last year, a second surgery had to be preformed that put him on the injured reserve list again. Simmons is back to good health and could be a factor as a starter, long reliever or back-end guy. Simmons is the lone player remaining on the roster from the national title team in 2021.
Mikhai Grant – Getting Grant to school was a huge win in and of itself. The hard throwing right hander turned down some big bucks from big league baseball to begin his college career. After a couple of short stints in fall ball in advance of the 2024 season, Grant was done. A UCL injury forced Tommy John surgery. Back throwing again, Grant was handled with kid gloves during the fall this go around. He is a name that often gets lost in the discussions about the Diamond Dawg pitching staff, but he is a real dude. When he is full go, Grant is a handful. It has been well over a year since the injury, so he is expected to factor in somewhere in Justin Parker’s pitching plans.
Bradley Loftin – Like Grant, Loftin opted for college rather than sign a pro deal out of high school Injuries have plagued him during his two years in Starkville. The talent is there. The competitiveness is there. For some reason, it simply has not come together just yet. Loftin made three appearances last season working eight innings, striking out a dozen and walking just one. Control has been a bit of an issue for him. If he finds the groove that made him one of the best prep pitching prospects in the country, then it will feel like State added another big arm from free agency.
Gatlin Sanders – The former Jones College Bobcat made a name for himself this past fall in Starkville. One never knows what to expect from JuCo players, but Sanders fought his way right into the middle of the competition to be the starting second baseman. State has a ton of middle infielders capable of playing short and second. That was not the case last year. This year, there is plenty of competition. Sanders has made things awfully interesting with his defensive play and consistent bat. No matter which route Coach Chris Lemonis elects to go, Sanders has made the decision making process all the more difficult.
Kevin Mannell – During the fall, Mannell did some good things. Fans forget he was one of the only junior college pitchers in the country invited to the Major League Baseball combine. The former Kansas State Wildcat has some skill. The real question is going to be where he fits and what role he takes. Mannell has worked extensively as a starter, but has shared he just wants the ball when the team needs him the most. He gives Parker some options. At times last year, the Bulldog bullpen was an arm or two short. That should not be the case this year as the crop of relievers appear to be extremely talented.
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