Bulldog watch begins along with MLB Draft
It's Major League Baseball Draft time and Mississippi State always has plenty of favor in the event.
This year is no different for the Bulldogs as they are expected to have some players and signees alike drafted. Today's first round will kick things off.
Perhaps the players that will be followed the most in the draft will be MSU'S high school signees. The Bulldogs will likely see its top signee come off the board in round one as Lilburn, Ga., shortstop Colin Houck is among the top high school players available and MLB insider Kiley Mcdaniel has him as the No. 16 player in the draft.
That's the only player that appears to be a surefire sign that is in the MSU class, but there are more to watch out for. Mcdaniel has another
Georgia middle infielder standout in Dylan Cupp on the list at 117, which would come in the fourth round of the draft.
Mcdaniel has outfielder Aidan Smith at 197 overall, which is in the sixth round of the draft. Mt. Paran (Ga.) left-handed pitcher Luke Dotson is 214, Auburn (Ala.) High School shortstop Jace Norton is at 252 and Georgia Premiere Academy righthanded pitcher Mikhai Grant at 273.
Smith and Houck are considered two of the biggest draft risks for the Bulldogs and they're among the only high schoolers that aren't currently enrolled at MSU according to sources.
As for the potential Diamond Dawg players on watch, that group is led by standout outfielder Colton Ledbetter. Mcdaniel has Ledbetter as the only MSU player that made the cut on his top 300 as he came in at No. 53 overall.
That selection would drop Ledbetter inside the second round with the Baltimore Orioles where he would join both Jordan Westburg and Adam Frazier as former Bulldogs that are playing for the Orioles.
The transfer from Samford had a tremendous year for MSU this past season. He led the team with a .320 batting average, 63 hits, 17 stolen bases in 18 attempts and .452 on-base percentage. He also had 52 runs scored, 12 home runs, 52 RBI, 47 walks and a triple.
While Ledbetter is the only player that's mentioned among the top 300, he's not the only player that is expected to get drafted. The Bulldogs are expected to watch starting right fielder Kellum Clark come off the board at