Mississippi prospects shine on opening day of MLB Draft

Multiple Mississippi players were selected in the first round of the MLB Draft Saturday, highlighted by Oak Grove’s Eric Booth Jr., who was chosen seventh overall by the Baltimore Orioles. This marked the third consecutive year a prep prospect from Mississippi was taken in the top 10, according to draft analysts.

Booth, an outfielder, is known for his athleticism and contact-hitting ability. The 6-foot, 198-pound player batted .481 as a senior at Oak Grove High School, with five home runs and 31 RBIs. He also stole 23 bases, boosting his draft stock, according to MLB.com analysts.

Ole Miss pitcher Cade Townsend was selected 23rd overall by the Chicago Cubs. Despite modest college stats, his pitching arsenal, including a fastball reaching 98 mph and a cutter, drew high interest from teams. Townsend posted a 5-3 record with a 3.94 ERA in 14 starts this season.

Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese was picked 24th overall by the Seattle Mariners. Reese, who batted .336 with 24 home runs and 74 RBIs this season, made history as the first Bulldogs third baseman to be selected in the first round. He joins other Mississippi players who have hit 20 or more home runs in back-to-back seasons.

Ole Miss pitcher Taylor Rabe was selected 30th overall in the competitive balance round by the Kansas City Royals. Rabe, a 6-foot-5 right-hander, played a key role in the Rebels’ run to the College World Series. He posted a 5-3 record with a 3.44 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 2026.

Additional Mississippi players picked on Day 1 include Cole Prosek (White Sox, 41st), Ben Davis (Rockies, 104th), Kevin Roberts Jr. (Orioles, 110th), and Hudson Calhoun (Rangers, 117th), representing a strong showing for the state’s baseball talent.

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