The 2026 MLB Draft proved to be a marquee event for Mississippi State baseball, as four of its recent standouts heard their names called across the first two days of selections. The excitement was palpable in Starkville, where fans and coaches alike celebrated the Bulldogs' ongoing tradition of producing major‑league talent.
Draft Highlights
Ace Reese, the right‑handed ace, became the highest‑selected Bulldog of the class when the Seattle Mariners drafted him 24th overall. Shortly after, the Colorado Rockies claimed Ben Davis in the fourth round, while the Toronto Blue Jays added Bryce Chance with the 10th‑round pick, and the Minnesota Twins completed the sweep by taking Aidan Teel in the 11th round.
Chance, who spent five seasons at Mississippi State including a redshirt year in 2022, compiled a career .323 batting average with 36 stolen bases across 217 games. In his final season he led the team with a .349 average and 13 steals, earning a second‑team All‑SEC nod and becoming the ninth Bulldog ever drafted by the Blue Jays.
Teel, who transferred to Mississippi State for his senior year after a stint at Virginia, posted a .294 average with five home runs and six steals during the 2026 campaign. His versatility and clutch hitting added depth to a lineup that has consistently churned out professional prospects.
Program Legacy
Mississippi State’s draft pedigree stretches back decades, boasting 252 selections in total and a streak of at least one player drafted in each of the past 12 drafts. The Bulldogs’ ability to develop talent that reaches the majors is a testament to the program’s coaching staff, facilities and player development philosophy.
The deadline for these newly drafted players to sign their professional contracts is July 27th at 4 p.m., a date that will determine which of the four will officially begin their MLB journeys and how quickly they will move through the minor‑league system.