Mississippi State Bulldogs: 2026 Season Preview
Chris Lemonis won a national title in 2021 and has spent the last two years rebuilding. The Bulldogs have pieces — a veteran pitching staff, a developing lineup, and the kind of program DNA that produces competitive teams. Dudy Noble is still one of the loudest stadiums in the country.
The Program
2025 Season Results
Season Highlights
Won 15 SEC games despite significant roster turnover
Cade Smith emerged as a reliable bullpen arm (2.85 ERA, 8 SV)
Kellum Clark hit .278 with 10 HR — the lineup's most consistent bat
The pitching staff improved steadily throughout conference play
Dudy Noble Field continued to provide one of the best home-field advantages in baseball
2026 Roster Breakdown
Key returnees and transfer portal additions
Key Returnees
Kellum Clark
1B · Jr.The lineup anchor. Power bat from first base with a mature approach. Has the tools to be a middle-of-the-order force.
Cade Smith
RHP · Jr.The closer. Power arm with a nasty slider. Shut down SEC lineups in the ninth inning and gives the Bulldogs late-game certainty.
Hunter Hines
3B · Jr.Hot-corner defender with developing pop. Steady hand in the infield who can drive the ball when he gets his pitch.
Slate Alford
RHP · Sr.Veteran starter who grinds deep into games. Commands the zone and trusts his defense. Reliable Friday presence.
RJ Yeager
OF · So.Athletic outfielder with speed and a developing bat. Could break out with everyday at-bats.
Transfer Portal Additions
Brooks Lee
SS · R-Sr.Elite bat from a strong mid-major. Adds the shortstop production Mississippi State has been missing.
Hurston Waldrep
RHP · R-Sr.In-state arm with plus stuff. Adds rotation depth behind Alford.
Jonathan Embry
OF · Jr.Outfield depth from an ACC program. Adds a veteran bat to a developing lineup.
Pitching Staff Analysis
The Headline
Cade Smith (2.85 ERA, 8 SV) is a lockdown closer. His slider is unhittable in the ninth, and his composure in high-leverage situations is beyond his years. He gives the Bulldogs certainty from the seventh inning forward.
The Rotation
Slate Alford (3.68 ERA) takes the Friday ball as the veteran presence. Hurston Waldrep (from Southern Miss, 3.05 ERA) fills the Saturday spot with in-state pride and plus stuff. The rotation is not elite — but it is competent enough to keep games close.
The Depth
The bullpen behind Smith is the development project. Lemonis has built relievers before — the 2021 title team had a dominant pen. The young arms need innings to develop, and the SEC schedule will provide them. The question is whether they develop fast enough.
Lineup Analysis
The Engine
Kellum Clark (.278, 10 HR) is the bat the Bulldogs build around. Power from first base with a mature approach. If he takes the next step — and the talent says he can — he becomes one of the better offensive players in the SEC.
The Middle
Brooks Lee (from Cal Poly, .318, 11 HR) is the biggest addition. Elite bat, great approach, and the kind of shortstop production that changes a lineup. Hunter Hines (.265, 6 HR) provides hot-corner depth. The middle of the order improved significantly with the portal.
The Supporting Cast
RJ Yeager (.258, 12 SB) provides speed. Jonathan Embry (from Louisville, .282, 7 HR) adds outfield production. The lineup is still thin by SEC standards — but it is better, and at Dudy Noble, the crowd makes up for what the roster lacks.
2026 Schedule Highlights
Scouting Verdict
20–80 scouting scale
BSI Projection
Mississippi State is in the middle of a rebuild, and Lemonis has navigated this before. Clark and Lee give the lineup a foundation. Smith gives the bullpen a closer. The program DNA is there — a national title is only five years old. The question is whether the pieces around the core develop fast enough to push for a postseason bid in the SEC. Dudy Noble helps. The coaching helps. The roster needs another year — but do not count out a team that knows what winning looks like.