Evaluating Mississippi State baseball's transfer portal hits, misses as offseason looms
STARKVILLE — After Mississippi State baseball was swept by Arkansas on Sunday, coach Chris Lemonis didn’t sugarcoat the Bulldogs’ play this season. On the verge of missing another SEC tournament, Lemonis acknowledged that pitching was at the heart of the woes, but there are plenty areas in which MSU needs improvement.
Third base defense has been inconsistent. Outfielders have been spotty, with collisions and drops highlighting another rough weekend. Catchers have been unable to throw out base runners. Even on offense, where Mississippi State is on a historic pace, big hits have been hard to come by at times.
The Bulldogs have plenty of holes, and a top 10 incoming recruiting class should fill some going into 2024. However, this season has been a testament to the difficulty of relying on freshmen. To fulfill expectations, Lemonis needs to return Mississippi State to a championship level. Doing so will likely require a big offseason in the transfer portal.
Can MSU succeed in that area? Here’s a look at how Lemonis’ staff has done in the past with portal additions.
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Where Mississippi State has succeeded in the portal
Second base
For the third straight season, Mississippi State has a transfer thriving at second base. Amani Larry came in from New Orleans and has started 46 games, is hitting .294 and has five home runs.
Larry follows in the footsteps of RJ Yeager who started 50 games last year as a grad transfer from Mercer. Yeager turned into a first team All-SEC player and a third team All-American before signing with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Before Yeager came Scotty Dubrule who was also a grad transfer ahead of the 2021 season. He started 61 games and helped fuel MSU’s run to the national championship. In the final series against Vanderbilt, Dubrule collected four hits.
Relief pitching
This may come as a surprise considering Mississippi State’s bullpen woes the last two seasons, but the transfers aren’t to blame. Two of MSU’s top three relievers this season, Nate Dohm (Ball State) and Aaron Nixon (Texas), came via the portal last offseason.
With both expected to return, a few additions could make a difference in finally collecting some depth.
Where Mississippi State needs success in the portal
Starting pitching
Mississippi State tried to land Paul Skenes last year. Instead, the Air Force two-way player went to LSU where he has become perhaps the best starting pitcher in the country and a projected top overall pick. MSU’s pitching outlook could’ve been much different with his as the Friday ace.
There likely won’t be another player of Skenes’ caliber available this offseason, but Mississippi State needs a veteran capable of providing stability every weekend. Landon Gartman (2-3, 7.25 ERA) wound up as the starting addition MSU found in the portal. Coming from Memphis, he has been serviceable but inconsistent.
To land a top arm, Lemonis needs to ensure Scott Foxhall’s replacement as pitching coach is proven. A young up-and-comer may not attract the talent needed.
Third base
Slate Alford’s power has helped MSU win games this season, but his defense – though improved – has been a liability at the hot corner. With him in and out of the lineup the last two weeks, Mississippi State may look to improve the position in the portal.
Kamren James handled the position in the previous three seasons, so Mississippi State hasn’t needed to find a portal player at third. This offseason could change that.
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: Why transfer portal is key for Mississippi State baseball, Chris Lemonis
