An updated ranking of Major League Baseball prospects has good news for some Diamond Dogs, no news for others, and insight on which Mississippi State signees are most at risk of turning pro this summer.
MLB.com has dropped a new top-250 chart of leading pro prospects from college and high school ranks. This long-awaited update has few surprises but much interest, beginning with an excellent chance that Mississippi State will have its next opening-day draft selection on July 14.
Pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje was already in first-round range. Now the switch-slinger, who is expected to focus on right-handed pitching even if a born lefty, has improved from #31 to #25. If he sticks in that slot he would be taken by San Diego.
MLB.com rates his standard fastball between 94 and 95 with a 98 top end and 'carry' in the strike zone. They have credited a 91 slider and note his hard changeup.
A shortstop prospect in high school Cijntje was drafted 18th round by Milwaukee.
On the other hand, outfielder Dakota Jordan has lost a little ground and slipped from #29 most of this spring to now #34. That does keep him in first-round status as with incentive, compensation, and competitive balance picks there will be 39 players taken before the formal second round.
The debits they note are lack of aggression on the basepaths and some shakiness on defense. But his raw bat speed may lead this draft and he has power to all fields, with improving pitch recognition.
Because he was a football signee and going to school for sure Jordan was not drafted out of high school.
Pitcher Khal Stephen essentially held his spot, slipping only one place from #87 to #88 in the update, still a third round slot. Scouts notice the fastball at 92-94 but really like how it carries and misses bats, with a solid changeup. Without one single standout tool Stephens can work four pitches reliably and could eventually make a fourth or fifth starter in a big league rotation.
The Dog supposed to lead the rotation this year, Nate Dohm, is still at #165 overall, last in the fifth round, despite the forearm issue which cost him all of the SEC regular season save for a brief start against Georgia. He began the year projected as a possible second, even first round call before the setback made his durability a concern. Dohm also had forearm problems at Ball Stateas a starter.
The 6-4 size and 'simple' delivery gives Dohm a strong fastball/slider mix with his heat topping around 97. Scouts like the breaking ball drawing swing-and-miss.
First baseman Hunter Hines remains at #174 which is sixth-round range. His top-five career home runs at Mississippi State, and leading the Cape Cod League a year ago in longballs, guarantee attention. That, and his pull power. At same time Hines was subject to college slumps and chased pitches out of the zone.
Bulldog not listed in this or the previous top-250s are shortstop David Mershon, outfielder Bryce Chance, and pitcher Colby Holcombe.
Those are the varsity Dogs with best opportunities to make the twenty-round selection process. Now. What of the best prospects signed by Coach Chris Lemonis for the 2025 roster?
Outfielder Dante Nori still tops that list at #48, one spot lower than last release and still safely in the second round. As he will turn 20 this fall Nori is the oldest prep prospect ranked this summer. His strengths on offense are a quick and left-side swing for line drives rather than pure power; and some of the best 60-yard dash times scored this scouting season. That speed makes him a natural centerfielder.
The only downsides listed are his age and impression Nori is physically a finished product.
Pitcher Conrad Carson has dropped a few points and is now #102. He is consistent at 93-95 and can ramp up to 98 at times from the right side, and delivers a late-breaking changeup. Carson threw more strikes this season though control remains to be refined. He is also a strong shortstop prospect in college with speed and power.
Pitcher Cade O'Leary is still #191 overall, unchanged. Scouts wanted to see how he would come off fall nerve surgery and O'Leary answered by leading Farragut High of Knoxville to a third Tennessee state class championship. He had come South after three seasons pitching at Catholic High in Pittsburgh where he was already a prospect.
He can reach 95 on the heater which is the primary pitch, as the slider needs consistency and change is still in development as far as the pros are concerned. For college, the 6-4 frame is there for maturing on schedule with his early chance to contribute likely a bullpen role.
Southpaw pitcher Charlie Foster checks in at #210 this time. Scouts watched his high school team plenty this spring as Foster is one of three pitching prospects out of Snellvile, Ga., Brookwood HS. He is not overpowering at 88-90 yet gets swings and misses with movement. The frame is already there to get stronger and add velocity in college time.
This year's draft runs July 14-15-16 in Fort Worth, as the Texas Rangers are hosting the All-Star Game.
