News Summary
The 2025 MLB Draft witnessed a significant achievement for Ole Miss baseball, with nine players selected, marking the highest number since 2014. Key highlights included Mason Morris chosen in the 3rd round by the Cincinnati Reds and Luke Hill making an impact with a 4th round pick by the Cleveland Guardians. With a mix of transfers and high school prospects, the program is undergoing a notable transition as Coach Mike Bianco prepares for the challenges ahead.
Atlanta, Georgia – The 2025 MLB Draft, held on July 13-14, saw a significant representation from the University of Mississippi’s baseball team, with a total of nine Ole Miss players selected. This marks the highest number of selections for the program since 2014, highlighting a promising transition period amid mixed outcomes in college baseball.
Relief pitcher Mason Morris was the standout player for Ole Miss on day one of the draft, being chosen in the 3rd round by the Cincinnati Reds. Following him, infielder Luke Hill became the first Rebel player drafted on day two, selected in the 4th round with the 132nd overall pick by the Cleveland Guardians. Hill concluded his season with impressive statistics, slashing .336/.459/.488, and earned a spot on the All-SEC second team.
Luke Hill’s journey to the draft took a pivotal turn when he transferred to Ole Miss from Arizona State in 2024. There was widespread anticipation that Hill would not return for his senior year, making his selection particularly noteworthy. Meanwhile, high school prospect Coy James, who was Ole Miss’s top signee, faced challenges in the draft process. Expectations had positioned him as a potential first-round pick, but concerns over projectability led to a significant drop in his draft placement.
Several other Rebel players were also drafted, contributing to the depth of selections for the team. Grant Richardson, who transferred from Grand Canyon University, did not make an appearance in the 2025 season due to undergoing Tommy John surgery. In contrast, Will McCausland was drafted in the 7th round by the Cleveland Guardians after showing mixed performance potential. Riley Maddox was chosen by the Washington Nationals in the 8th round, despite ending the season with a 5.56 ERA across 16 starts. Mason Nichols rounded out the early picks for Ole Miss by being selected in the 9th round by the Tampa Bay Rays, showcasing a solid collegiate career with 184 strikeouts and a 4.61 ERA.
Even those who had limited opportunities at Ole Miss found their names called in the draft. Patrick Galle was selected in the 17th round by the Boston Red Sox despite having a challenging season, with an ERA exceeding 8. Additionally, Spencer, who excelled as a closer at Ole Miss, was drafted in the 16th round by the Athletics after returning to the program post-draft. Other players finding success included Daniel Pacella, Tristan Bissetta, and Dom Decker, all of whom transitioned from other programs.
As Ole Miss navigates this transitional phase, the baseball program faces the imminent loss of several senior players along with potential key departures to professional baseball. Head coach Mike Bianco is actively working on reshaping the roster, focusing on integrating impactful players through the transfer portal in preparation for the upcoming season.
The college baseball offseason is currently characterized by increased player movement within Ole Miss, driven by the need for new talent and the commitments of fresh recruits. The combination of transfers and junior players entering the professional ranks has initiated a significant shake-up for the Ole Miss baseball program, illustrating both the uncertainties and opportunities laid out by the latest draft results.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss Baseball MLB Draft 2025 Rankings
- Ole Hotty Toddy: Rebel Nation Celebrates 11 MLB Draft Picks
- WLBT: 30 Players Representing Mississippi Selected in 2025 MLB Draft
- Sports Illustrated: The MLB Draft Recap for Ole Miss Baseball
- The Rebel Walk: Ole Miss Baseball Offseason Tracker
- Wikipedia: Ole Miss Rebels Baseball
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