A Breakdown Of Mississippi State Bulldog Pitchers

After last year's struggles on the mound, who will the Bulldogs lean on to flip the script this year?

The Mississippi State Bulldogs struggled mightily on the mound last year, posting an ERA north of seven for the season. However, with the addition of former South Carolina pitching coach Justin Parker, the Bulldogs hope some of this raw talent they have is developed.

The Bulldogs have many talented arms, and every role is wide-open. Here are some guys who could fill those roles for MSU.

Potential Starters

Colby Holcombe

2023 Stats: 2-2, 36.0 Innings Pitched, 8.25 ERA, 49 Strikeouts.

Last year, Holcombe showed flashes of dominance, including a pair of impressive SEC performances. The 6-7 right hander worked four innings against South Carolina, collected a season-high eight strikeouts, and threw three innings against Alabama and struck out seven.

Holcombe has all the physical tools to be a weekend starter in the SEC but has struggled with control. Holcombe could be a Friday night starter if he has taken strides under Parker.

Jurrangelo Cijntje

2023 Stats: 3-5, 50.0 Innings Pitched, 8.10 ERA, 63 Strikeouts.

Cijnte was one of the top stories in college baseball last year due to his ability to pitch with both hands. Cijnte started SEC play as the Friday night starter but struggled with command all season.

Cijnte is obviously a unique story, but he has a mid-90s fastball and a good breaking ball and could figure his way into the rotation.

Bradley Loftin

2023 Stats: 2-1, 26.1 Innings Pitched, 3.08 ERA, 43 Strikeouts.

Loftin was another talented freshman last year for the Bulldogs who showed signs of dominance. However, Loftin suffered an injury halfway through the SEC schedule; if he is healthy, he will be an arm the Bulldogs must rely on.

Karson Ligon

2023 Stats: 3-2, 50.2 Innings Pitched, 4.80 ERA, 37 Strikeouts. (Miami)

He is one of the multiple transfers the Bulldogs picked up on the mound, and he has prior experience being the ace of a staff. Ligon was the Friday night starter for a solid Miami program, and his experience is needed on a young pitching staff.

Khal Stephen

2023 Stats: 7-4, 76.0 Innings Pitched, 5.21 ERA, 66 Strikeouts. (Purdue)

The 6-4 215 righty is another veteran of college baseball after making 14 starts for Purdue. Stephen was selected third-team All-Big Ten and needs to pitch solid innings for the Bulldogs, whether starting or coming out of the bullpen.

Potential Bullpen Guys

Evan Siary

2023 Stats: 1-2, 28.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Save, 7.07 ERA, 28 Strikeouts

Siary looked poised to be a breakout star last year for the Bulldogs, as he thrived in a setup role early in the season. Siary performed well when pitching two or three innings; he must be a reliable arm in an unproven bullpen.

Cole Cheatham

2023 Stats: 0-0, 7.15 ERA, 11.1 Innings Pitched, 11 Strikeouts.

Cheatham saw more action last year after Bulldog pitching coach Scott Foxhall was fired. Cheatham showed flashes of being able to mix pitches well, and the Bulldogs will need a solid lefty out of the bullpen.

Tyler Davis

2023 Stats: 1-0, 9.13 ERA, 22.2 Innings Pitched, 21 Strikeouts

The former VCU transfer was expected to pitch significant innings and perhaps work into last year's rotation for the Bulldogs. However, the lefty struggled mightily, but the former Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team member found his footing late in the season with solid performances against LSU and Texas A&M.

If Davis can continue the momentum he ended last year with, he will be a significant factor in the MSU bullpen.

Brooks Auger

2023 Stats: Missed Season Due To Injury

Auger seemed to be establishing a name for himself during the 2022 season before his injury. Luckily for the Bulldogs, Auger awaited his long rehab, and now the righty will return this Spring.

Auger will likely be a middle relief guy for the Bulldogs.

Cam Schuelke

2023 Stats: 9-1, eight Saves, 2.09 ERA, 60.1 Innings Pitched, 86 strikeouts. (College Of Central Florida)

Schuelke was a highly coveted JUCO transfer, and he can fill many roles for the Bulldogs. The Michigan native mixes his arm angles with traditional over-the-top and submarine deliveries.

Schuelke could close for the Bulldogs, but MSU may elect to go with a more powerful arm to close out the game. However, with Schuelke's awkward style, he could be perfect for a setup role.

Potential Closers

Nate Dohm

2023 Stats: 6-4, two saves, 4.07 ERA, 40.2 Innings Pitched, 49 Strikeouts.

Dohm was the most consistent arm out of the bullpen for MSU; after suffering a minor injury, he struggled, which led to his numbers being inflated. Every college baseball team needs a pair of solid arms in the backend of the bullpen, and Dohm showed he is capable of doing just that.

Dohm had said he had worked on improving and finding consistency with his off-speed pitches, which will be critical because when Dohm struggled last year, he was too reliant on his mid-90s fastball.

Stone Simmons

2023 Stats: Missed Season Due To Injury

Simmons is another Bulldog pitcher who missed the entire 2023 campaign. The Texas native was replacing Landon Sims as the MSU closer in 2022, and he was excelling in that role.

The right-hander tossed 4.1 innings and struck out six while allowing no earned runs in 2022 before suffering an injury at Tulane.  Expect the former Furman transfer to slide back into that closer role. 

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