The 2026 Mississippi State baseball season is set to get underway, and it will be the start of a new era. HC Brian O'Connor begins his first season in Starkville, leading an absolutely loaded roster. There are high expectations for this squad given the coaching prowess and talent, especially at the plate with the likes of Ace Reese and Aiden Teel leading the way.
They're going to get hits and score runs, and do so plenty. But what's to be expected stylistically at the plate? O'Connor brought his longtime assitant Kevin McMullan with him to Starkville, whose specialty is coaching hitters. Let's take a look at how McMullan's offenses have performed in recent years at he and O'Connor's previous program, Virginia...
Mississippi State's lineup is obviously going to produce
It's obvious to say the Diamond Dawg bats will produce given the proven power in the lineup, but the numbers on Kevin McMullan's offenses support that too. Over the last four years, Virginia has averaged a team batting average of .320, ranking inside the Top 25 nationally each year and twice ranking Top 3.
In general they know how to get on base. Virginia's average on-base percentage the last four years has been .416. Naturally, they plate plenty of runs, averaging 8.7 per game in that stretch. These offenses have been amongst the nation's best.
The Bulldogs will be able to hit for power
A big reason why Virginia was so good at the plate the last four years? They got big hits. Their average slugging percentage in that span is .520, ranking No. 5 nationally in 2024 with .567. They've averaged 86 home runs per year in that timeframe with a ridiculous 116 in that 2024 season. But they don't just rely on the longball. This offense has been one of the best at hitting doubles too. They rack up extra-base hits.
And don't mistake this as a "just swing hard" mentality. McMullan's offenses strikeout at a very low rate while walking a good amount. They're certainly patient at the plate. They just know how to turn that patience into extra bases frequently.
Don't expect a ton of small ball from State
Not surprisingly, Virginia under Kevin McMullan didn't partake in too much "small ball" the last four seasons. They were outside the Top 80 nationally in stolen bases per game each season. Their rate of attempting sac bunts fluctuated more, but they were never higher than No. 48 nationally in that category.
When you have loaded lineups that excel at getting on base and getting big hits, you don't need to use those small ball tactics nearly as much. If Mississippi State were lacking at spots in the lineup, perhaps you'd see the staff choose to implement that strategy more. But given the depth at the plate in Starkville, expect this to look more like what McMullan and O'Connor had at Virginia.