2016 Mississippi State Baseball Preview: Outfielders

Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Mississippi State Bulldogs flag is waved in the endzone after a score in the second quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Taking a look at the Mississippi State baseball outfielders and what to expect in 2016.

The Mississippi State baseball team has had a lot of different players roam the grass at Dudy Noble Field. It’s the one area where John Cohen has been the most flexible in rotating players in and out of the lineup. The Bulldogs have a lot of talent to choose from in 2016 as well.

Only one outfielder who received significant playing time won’t return in 2016. Jake Vickerson was a senior in 2015 and leaves the Bulldogs after exhausting his eligibility. He was a .300 hitter with a .373 on base percentage with five steals.

Returning Contributors

Jacob Robson – .324 Batting Average, .436 On Base Percentage, 21 Stolen Bases in 27 attempts
Cody Brown – .309 Batting Average, 14 Doubles, .450 Slugging Percentage
Luke Reynolds – .304 Batting Average, 12 RBIs, .439 On Base Percentage
Reid Humphreys – .247 Batting Average, 5 Homeruns, 27 RBIs
Michael Smith – .208 Batting Average, 4 stolen bases
Brent Rooker – .257 Batting Average, 2 Homeruns, .378 Slugging Percentage

New Faces

Only two newcomers for the outfield. Incoming freshman Brant Blaylock who is a highly touted prospect from Desoto Central High School. The Bulldogs also have a transfer from Itawamba Community College in Tanner Poole.

Most likely to make big contributions in 2016

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are likely pretty set in 2016 in the outfield. Jacob Robson will start in Center, and Reid Humphreys will play on both sides of him. There will be times Cohen switches things up for match ups, but those will be the primary three players we see patrolling the outfield for the Bulldogs in 2016.

Brent Rooker will play a lot as well, but look for him to slide into the DH role for most of 2016. Rooker was elected one of the team captains as just a sophomore, so there is a lot expected of him.

JUCO transfer Tanner Poole will certainly see time as well. Poole hit .378 with a six homeruns and a .643 slugging percentage for Itawamba in his final season for the Indians.

Unless there are a number of injuries, Brent Blaylock will likely redshirt. Cohen won’t want to waste a year of his eligibility when there won’t be much playing time to go around.

Robson, Humphreys, and Brown are loooking to make a big splash in 2016. If the outfield can produce consistently in 2016, the offense will be far better off. It might also lead to having heir names called in the Amateur Draft this summer.

Up Next Tomorrow: 3rd Base

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