Mississippi Well Represented in 2025 MLB Futures Game

The Magnolia State is taking center stage today at Truist Park in Atlanta, as three rising stars with deep Mississippi ties suit up for the 2025 MLB Futures Game. This annual showcase of baseball’s top prospects has become a must-watch event during All-Star weekend, and this year’s edition features a trio of players who have made a name for themselves both in their home state and on the national stage.

Leading the way is Konnor Griffin, the pride of Jackson Prep and a 2024 first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Griffin enters the Futures Game as one of the most dynamic young players in the minor leagues. Splitting time between Bradenton Marauders (A) and Greensboro Grasshoppers (A+), the shortstop/outfielder has posted eye-popping numbers: a .327 batting average, 13 home runs, 53 RBIs, and 41 stolen bases across 67 games. His combination of speed, power, and advanced approach at the plate has earned him a No. 31 overall ranking on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list. Griffin is expected to start for the National League squad and should be a highlight of today’s action with his ability to impact the game in all facets.

Joining him in the NL dugout is another familiar Mississippi name: Braden Montgomery. A Madison Central High School alum, Montgomery was selected 12th overall in the 2024 draft out of Texas A&M after playing his freshman and sophomore year at Stanford. He now plays in the White Sox organization after being traded from Boston. He’s been solid in 2025, hitting .274 with 11 homers and 52 RBIs in 69 games between Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (A) and Winston-Salem Dash (A+). A switch-hitter with elite bat speed and athleticism, Montgomery profiles as a future big-league outfielder with middle-of-the-order potential. His presence in the Futures Game offers a glimpse of the versatility and poise that made him a star at both the high school and college level.

On the American League side, Mississippi State fans will be keeping a close eye on Jurrangelo Cijntje, the ambidextrous phenom now pitching in the Seattle Mariners system. The native of The Netherlands, but moved to Miami at age 16. A rare switch-pitcher, Cijntje is capable of throwing with either arm and has emerged as a key arm for the High-A Everett AquaSox. Through 56.1 innings this season, he’s struck out 58 batters, posted a 4–5 record, and limited opposing hitters to a .191 average. His ERA sits at 4.95, but scouts continue to be impressed by his raw stuff and ability to keep hitters off balance from both sides. As the first ambidextrous pitcher ever selected to the Futures Game, Cijntje brings a unique wrinkle to today’s contest and a strong connection to Starkville pride. After his sophomore year at Mississippi State he was named second team All-American and First-Team All-SEC, and was drafted 15th overall by the Mariners.

Collectively, Griffin, Montgomery, and Cijntje highlight the incredible depth of baseball talent being developed in Mississippi. Whether it’s through elite private school programs, powerhouse public high schools, or collegiate pipelines like Mississippi State, the state continues to produce stars who shine under the brightest lights. As today’s Futures Game unfolds, Mississippi baseball fans have plenty of reasons to tune in and cheer. These three prospects aren’t just the future of Major League Baseball—they’re proof that the Magnolia State remains a cradle of diamond greatness.

Other Local Names

Keagan Michael Gillies, a talented 6-foot-8, 255 lb right-hander from Metairie, LA starred at Tulane before being drafted by the Orioles in the 15th round of the 2021 MLB Draft.. In 2025, he dominated at Double A with the Chesapeake Baysox, posting a 4–1 record, 1.44 ERA, eight saves, 34 strikeouts, and an impressive .128 opponents’ batting average across 31.1 innings. His performance earned him a promotion to the Norfolk Tides (AAA) last week and a selection to the American League roster for the Futures Game — the first former Tulane player to earn that honor since 2019. Gillies has acknowledged the honor as a reward for his perseverance through injuries and late‑blooming development, and he’s eager to showcase his splitter and cutter combination on baseball’s big stage.