The 2024 campaign was a forgettable one for Ole Miss baseball. Fortunately for the Rebels in 2025, they have one of the fastest-rising MLB draft prospects in the nation with shortstop Luke Hill, who is joined by impact transfers and high-potential returners.
Ole Miss begins its pursuit of a bounce-back 2025 facing the ultimate measuring stick of the Shriners Children’s College Baseball Showdown. At Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, the Rebels face three teams ranked No. 12 or better in Perfect Game’s preseason Top 25.
The outstanding field promises to test Ole Miss, and prepare the Rebels for their pursuit of a resurgent season in the always-tough SEC.
Ole Miss Shriners Children’s Baseball Showdown Schedule
- vs. Arizona – Friday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. ET
- vs. Texas – Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m.
- vs. Clemson – Sunday, Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m.
Names to Know
Luke Cheng
Injuries limited middle infielder Luke Cheng in his time at Illinois State, but the transfer was hitting .373 with a .953 OPS in 51 at-bats before his 2024 was cut short. With a healthy season and joining the talented Ole Miss roster, Cheng has breakout potential in 2025 that could start at Globe Life Field.
Luke Hill
One of the top shortstops in college baseball, Luke Hill embarks on the 2025 campaign tabbed as a top MLB draft prospect, as high as No. 75 per D1Baseball. Don’t be surprised if his stock skyrockets with a big season for the Rebels.
Hill transferred to Ole Miss from Arizona State where, in 2023, het hit .314, slugged .456 homered six times. He struggled initially upon his arrival to Oxford, but going on a 10-game hitting streak midway through the campaign helped buoy Hill’s season average to .291.
Combining his potentially potent bat with outstanding glove work on defense, Hill is among the nation’s premier middle infielders and a player to watch closely all season.
Riley Maddox
Tommy John surgery ended Riley Maddox’s 2023 season after only three innings, but he returned strong in 2024. The right-handed pitcher made 15 appearances in his first season as a Rebels starter, and he struck out 53 in 69 innings of work.
Maddox’s progress with a full year on the mound post-surgery to his credit could see him break out in 2025.
Mason Nichols
Right-handed pitcher Mason Nichols began his Ole Miss career working exclusively out of the bullpen, throwing 31 ⅔ innings in 21 appearances in 2022, and 38 innings in 2023. Last season, Nichols made six starts in his 17 overall appearances and, for the third campaign in his time as a Rebel, averaged more than a strikeout for every inning pitched.
Nichols has struck out 128 batters in his three seasons in Oxford and has a career WHIP of 1.26. With his ability to mow down hitters, Nichols can be a weapon in multiple facets, whether as a middle or long reliever or starter.
Mitchell Sanford
Experienced transfer outfielder Mitchell Sanford is no stranger to the SEC, having begun his college career at LSU. He made his way to New Orleans where, in 2023 and 2024, he hit .324 and .381 with eight and 15 home runs. Last year’s impressive power numbers, which resulted in a .708 slugging percent, .460 on-base percentage and 1.168 OPS, garnered Sanford the Southland Conference’s Hitter of the Year.
Sanford’s breakout offensive performance a season ago also included 18 stolen bases on 19 attempts. The super senior’s proven production adds a needed element to the Ole Miss lineup in 2025.
Ole Miss Shriners Children’s Classic Opponents
Arizona
Arizona claimed the last Pac-12 Conference championship of its classic iteration before bowing out of the NCAA Tournament in disappointing fashion. The Wildcats reload, now as members of the Big 12 Conference, with a roster rife with MLB draft prospects and teeming with College World Series potential.
The Wildcats check in at No. 12 in the preseason Perfect Game Top 25, so Ole Miss gets a chance to make some immediate noise with hits opening draw at Globe Life Field.
Clemson
One of the preseason favorites in a top-heavy Atlantic Coast Conference, Clemson heads to Arlington with a stacked roster featuring one of the top 2025 MLB draft prospects, Cam Cannarella.
Along with the sensational outfielder Cannarella, the Tigers head to Globe Life Field with Jarren Purify, who could emerge as one of the nation’s top sophomores in 2025. Clemson opens the season at No. 8 in the Perfect Game Top 25.
Texas
Perennial powerhouse Texas is No. 7 in Perfect Game’s preseason rankings, and with good reason. The Longhorns feature an outstanding lineup with two of the 2025 class’ leading MLB draft prospects, Max Belyeu and Jalin Flores.
Texas also welcomes back Kimble Schuessler to a loaded batting order, while proven starter Max Grubbs heads up the pitching staff.
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