Which Major League Baseball franchises have former Mississippi State players?

STARKVILLE – Many Mississippi State fans base their professional baseball affinity off where former Bulldogs have landed.

There is a strong portion of Atlanta Braves fans due to proximity and Chicago Cubs fans due to the organization’s strong presence on TV in past decades, but the variety stems further with Mississippi not having a professional team.

Many Mississippians side with the San Francisco Giants because of Will Clark and, perhaps with a new generation, Will Bednar. The Single-A system allows for many other teams to be chosen based off the 2021 MSU national championship roster.

For those undecided, a plethora of former Bulldogs find themselves on MLB and minor league rosters throughout the nation. Here’s a roundup at where they are today.

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MLB

Hunter Renfroe – Milwaukee Brewers, Outfielder

Renfroe, after coming over from the Red Sox, has struggled to maintain his success from last season. His slash is down in all three categories, with a .241 batting average, .275 on-base percentage and .459 slugging percentage.  He has 10 home runs with 20 RBIs.

Kendall Graveman – Chicago White Sox, Relief pitcher

Graveman is on his third team in two years and continues to thrive. He has a 2.51 ERA in 27 appearances as Chicago’s setup man.

Adam Frazier – Seattle Mariners, Second baseman/outfielder

Like Graveman, Frazier is on his third team in two seasons. His numbers have dipped since being traded from the Pirates to the Padres last season and then signing with the Mariners. He’s hitting .230 with a career-low .612 on-base plus slugging.

Brandon Woodruff – Milwaukee Brewers, Starting pitcher

The Brewers are the only franchise with multiple former Bulldogs currently on their professional roster. Woodruff is battling an ankle injury after a rough start to his season. He has a 4.74 ERA in nine starts.

Chris Stratton – Pittsburgh Pirates, Relief pitcher

Stratton has a 5.68 ERA in 26 relief appearances for the Pirates, who are battling with the Cubs and Reds for last in the NL Central.

Dakota Hudson – St. Louis Cardinals, Starting pitcher

Hudson has become a valuable piece for the first-place Cardinals after just 10 appearances the previous two seasons. Hudson is 4-3 with a 3.29 ERA in 12 starts.

Konnor Pilkington – Cleveland Guardians, Pitcher

Pilkington began the season as a reliever before moving into the starting rotation his previous four outings. His last two outings he has pitched at least five innings. Pilkington has a 3.57 ERA.

Nathaniel Lowe – Texas Rangers, First baseman

Lowe, in his second season with Texas, is continuing his success. He’s hitting a career-high .281 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs.

Triple-A

Jack Mangum – Syracuse Mets (Mets)

Cole Gordon – Syracuse Mets (Mets)

Gavin Collins – Columbus Clippers (Guardians)

J.P. France – Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros)

Jack Kruger – Round Rock Express (Rangers)

Jonathan Holder – Iowa Cubs (Cubs)

Ethan Small – Nashville Sounds (Brewers)

Jacob Robson – Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers)

Jordan Westburg – Norfolk Tides (Orioles)

Colby White – Durham Bulls (Rays)

Double-A

J.T. Ginn – Midland Rockhounds (Athletics)

Justin Foscue – Frisco Roughriders (Rangers)

Zach Neff – Wichita Wind Surge (Twins)

Brent Rooker – El Paso Chihuahuas (Padres)

Hunter Stovall – Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies)

Zac Houston – Erie Seawolves (Tigers)

Single-A

Will Bednar – San Jose Giants (Giants)

Trysten Barlow – Spokane Indians (Rockies)

Tanner Allen – Beloit Sky Carp (Marlins)

Rowdey Jordan – Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets)

Houston Harding – Tri-City Dust Devils (Angels)

Keegan James – ACL Rockies (Rockies)

Eric Cerantola – Quad City Rivers Bandits (Royals)

Peyton Plumlee – Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Astros)

Christian MacLeod – Fort Myers Might Mussels (Twins)

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3. 

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Which former Mississippi State baseball players are in MLB