Mississippi has long called itself a baseball state, and this summer there’s plenty of proof. When USA Baseball unveiled its 56 player Collegiate National Team Training Camp roster, eight players from Mississippi’s Big Three programs earned invitations. Mississippi State led the nation with four selections, Southern Miss sent three of the nation’s top arms, and Ole Miss added one of the SEC’s best relievers. Add in three Mississippi natives on the roster, and the Magnolia State will once again be well represented as the country’s best young players compete for a spot wearing USA across their chest.
Mississippi State Leads the Nation
No program had a larger representation than Mississippi State. The Bulldogs placed four players on the training camp roster, more than any other school.
- Jack Bauer, LHP
- Ryan McPherson, RHP
- Jacob Parker, OF
- Tomas Valincius, LHP
The quartet reflects the balance of Mississippi State’s roster. Bauer emerged as one of the nation’s top freshman left handers. McPherson returns to Team USA after competing for the Collegiate National Team last summer. Valincius is making another trip to training camp after participating a year ago, while Parker gives the Bulldogs one of the country’s rising young outfielders.
Parker also brings a hometown connection for Mississippi fans. The Purvis native is one of only a handful of Mississippi-born players on the roster.
Southern Miss Sends Its Weekend Rotation
Few pitching staffs were as dominant this spring as Southern Miss. USA Baseball clearly noticed. Golden Eagle pitchers Camden Clark, Grayden Harris and Camden Sunstrom all earned invitations after helping anchor one of the nation’s deepest rotations.
Clark, a Laurel native, developed into one of the Sun Belt’s most dependable starters. Harris emerged as one of college baseball’s premier left handers, while Sunstrom rounded out a trio that gave opposing hitters very little breathing room every weekend.
Ole Miss Represented by One of the SEC’s Best
Ole Miss will be represented by sophomore left hander Walker Hooks. The Brandon native developed into one of the SEC’s premier bullpen arms this season, earning his opportunity to compete against many of the nation’s best players for a spot on the Collegiate National Team.
Hooks also gives Mississippi another homegrown player wearing his home state’s name on the national stage.
Homegrown Talent
Three of the eight players representing Mississippi schools also call Mississippi home.
- Jacob Parker — Purvis (Mississippi State)
- Camden Clark — Laurel (Southern Miss)
- Walker Hooks — Brandon (Ole Miss)
Those three grew up dreaming about playing college baseball in their home state. Now they’ll have the chance to compete for Team USA.
What’s Next?
The eight Mississippi college players will now travel to the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, where they will compete alongside the nation’s top underclassmen for a coveted spot on the 2026 Collegiate National Team.
Training camp will feature workouts, intrasquad games and the annual Stars vs. Stripes series, giving players one final opportunity to impress USA Baseball’s coaching staff.
Once the roster is finalized, the selected players will represent the United States in the 45th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Championship Series, one of the premier international events in amateur baseball. The five-game series is scheduled for July 8-13, with games being played in Japan.
Complete 2026 Team USA Collegiate Baseball National Team Training Camp Roster
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