Mississippi State baseball kept up the positive momentum in the transfer portal over the weekend with the commitment of two power conference pitchers.
Kentucky transfer pitcher Travis Smith commits to Mississippi State baseball
On Saturday, the Diamond Dawgs picked up their first transfer from a SEC foe with the commitment of Kentucky's Travis Smith.
Excited and grateful to have the opportunity to continue my baseball career at Mississippi State! Thank you to the staff for giving me this opportunity! Go Dawgs! @lemo22 @HailStateBB @JusinDParker24 pic.twitter.com/gM3duPrVMs
— Travis Smith (@Traviss1109) July 6, 2024
In 2023, Smith developed into a weekend starter for Kentucky. In 13 appearances, he posted a 4-3 record with a 4.84 ERA. Smith recorded 43 strikeouts to 26 walks.
The right-hander began the 2024 season as one of the Wildcats' top arms, but an injury moved into a bullpen role for much of the season. Smith finished 2024 with a 6.21 ERA, 33 strikeouts to 22 walks, and a 3-4 record in 13 appearances.
Travis Smith was viewed as one of the top pitching prospects available in the portal. 64Analytics rates him as the #19 overall transfer. State beat out the likes of Ole Miss and Vanderbilt for him.
Virginia transfer pitcher Chase Hungate commits to Mississippi State baseball
State added another key arm to their pitching staff on Sunday with the commitment of Virginia's Chase Hungate.
Excited to say that I will be finishing my college career at Mississippi State! Go dawgs!!🐶🐶 pic.twitter.com/QAh7yBqMC8
— Chase Hungate (@ChaseHungate) July 7, 2024
Hungate was one of the Cavalier's top options out of the bullpen in 2024. In 30 appearances, the right-hander posted a 7-2 record with a 3.74 ERA. He recorded 37 strikeouts to just 13 walks. Hungate was 3-0 in 16 relief appearances in 2023 with a 5.76 ERA, 21 strikeouts, and 4 walks.
Hungate began his career at VCU, where he also found success as a reliever. 64Analytics rates him as the #56 transfer prospect.
Mississippi State baseball suddenly has an impressive portal class
It took some time, but the Bulldogs now have a strong transfer haul for the offseason. Smith and Hungate should both make major impacts in 2025, as Smith will compete for a starting job in the weekend rotation, and Hungate immediately becomes one of the top bullpen arms.
According to 64Analytics, Mississippi State now has the #8 transfer class in the country.
With this commitment, @HailStateBB jumps into the Top 10 for Team Rank at #8. It is their 6th player in the Top 250 and all 8 commits are in the Top 350. https://t.co/xTLr2vUrGc pic.twitter.com/OcXKCOunFv
— 64Analytics (@64Analytics) July 7, 2024
This is exactly what Chris Lemonis needed to do as he builds towards the 2025 season.