We are one month into the 2025 MLB Season, and it’s been filled with plenty of surprises; most notably the Braves slow start. Here is how the players from Mississippi high schools have done so far. There are currently eight players on Big League rosters who played high school in the Magnolia State. Tomorrow we will look at how the players from Mississippi colleges have done.
P Garrett Crotchet    Boston Red Sox    Ocean Springs (Ocean Springs HS)
When the Boston Red Sox pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox last December, expectations were sky-high. One month into the 2025 season, the 25-year-old lefty has not only met those expectations—he’s exceeded them.
Through five starts, the Ocean Springs native has posted a 2-1 record with a jaw-dropping 1.13 ERA and a 0.906 WHIP. His ability to rack up strikeouts—9.8 per nine innings—has made him a nightmare for opposing hitters. His dominance has already earned him a place in Red Sox history, boasting the third-lowest ERA by a pitcher in their first five games with the team in the live-ball era.
Crochet’s latest gem came against his former team, where he tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out seven. His performance helped Boston secure a 4-3 extra-inning victory, extending their winning streak to four games.
Boston wasted no time locking down their new ace, signing Crochet to a six-year, $170 million extension in March. If his first month in a Red Sox uniform is any indication, that investment is looking like a steal.
With the season still young, Crochet has already cemented himself as a key piece of Boston’s rotation. If he keeps this up, he could be in the conversation for Cy Young honors before long.  Could Garrett Crotchet be Jackson County’s first ever Cy Young winner ?
P J.T. Ginn   Athletics    Brandon, MS (Brandon HS)
One month into the 2025 MLB season, JT Ginn is proving he belongs in the big leagues. The 25-year-old right-hander former Brandon High standout has been a bright spot for the Athletics (of Sacramento), showcasing his ability to command the mound with poise and precision.
Through his first few starts, Ginn has posted a 1-0 record with an impressive 1.69 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. His ability to keep hitters off balance has been evident, as he’s struck out six batters per nine innings while limiting hard contact
The Mississippi State alum’s most notable performance came in his season debut against the New York Mets, where he tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one run while striking out six. His ability to work efficiently and attack the strike zone has made him a reliable arm in the A’s rotation.
While the Athletics are still finding their footing in the competitive AL West, Ginn’s emergence as a dependable starter is a promising sign for the franchise.
OF Jake Mangum    Tampa Bay Rays    Flowood (Jackson Prep)
One month into the 2025 MLB season, Jake Mangum is proving he belongs in the big leagues. The 29-year-old outfielder from Mississippi State, once overlooked as a prospect, has emerged as a key contributor for the Tampa Bay Rays, showcasing his ability to hit for contact and get on base consistently.
Mangum has been a revelation at the plate, batting .328 with six RBIs and a .746 OPS. His knack for finding gaps and putting the ball in play has made him a reliable presence in the Rays’ lineup. In his first six games, the former Jackson Prep standout hit safely in five of them, including a scorching .500 average over a five-game stretch.
His most memorable moment came on March 31, when he recorded his first MLB hit, grounding a single into left-center field against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Since then, he has continued to impress, earning more playing time and even moving up in the batting order.
Mangum’s ability to make contact and his disciplined approach at the plate have made him a valuable asset for Tampa Bay. While he has yet to hit a home run, his consistency and ability to drive in runs have solidified his role in the lineup.
If Mangum keeps this up, he could be one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 season.
OF Hunter Renfroe    Kansas City Royals    Crystal Springs (Copiah Academy)
One month into the 2025 MLB season, Renfroe is still searching for his rhythm at the plate. The veteran outfielder from Mississippi State, now with the Kansas City Royals, has struggled to find consistency, posting a .128 batting average with zero home runs and three RBIs.
Renfroe, known for his power-hitting ability, has yet to showcase his trademark slugging. His .363 OPS is well below his career average, and his strikeout rate has been a concern. Despite the slow start, the Royals remain hopeful that the 33-year-old can rediscover his form as the season progresses.
The Crystal Springs native’s best performance so far came on March 30, when he recorded an RBI double against the Cleveland Guardians. However, since then, he has struggled to string together quality at-bats, with just five total hits in 42 plate appearances.
While Renfroe’s early-season numbers are far from ideal, he has a track record of bouncing back from slow starts. If he can adjust his approach and find his power stroke, he could still be a valuable asset for Kansas City’s lineup.
3B Austin Riley    Atlanta Braves    Southaven (DeSoto Central HS)
Austin Riley is doing everything he can to keep the Atlanta Braves afloat. Unfortunately, his stellar individual performance hasn’t been enough to lift the team out of its early-season struggles.
Through April 20, Riley has been one of the few bright spots in Atlanta’s lineup, slashing .300/.375/.525 with five home runs and 15 RBIs. His ability to drive in runs has been crucial for a Braves offense that has struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Despite Riley’s efforts, the Braves have stumbled to a 8-13 record, marking one of their worst starts in recent memory. Injuries, inconsistent pitching, and an underperforming lineup have plagued the team, leaving them at the bottom of the NL East standings.
His leadership has been evident both on and off the field. In a recent interview, the former DeSoto Central High star urged Braves fans to stick with the team, emphasizing that the players are working hard to turn things around. His words reflect the determination of a clubhouse that refuses to give up, even as the losses pile up.
P Justin Steele    Chicago Cubs    Lucedale (George County HS)
The Chicago Cubs entered the 2025 season with high hopes for Justin Steele, their top-of-the-rotation left-hander. But just one month in, the Cubs are facing a major setback—Steele is out for the year after undergoing left flexor tendon surgery.
Steele’s season started with promise, but lingering elbow issues quickly derailed his momentum. He managed just four starts before landing on the injured list with elbow tendinitis. His struggles were evident early on, as he allowed at least three earned runs in each of his outings. His longest start came against the Oakland Athletics, where he pitched 6.2 innings, giving up four runs in a 7-4 Cubs victory.
After seeking a second opinion, Steele and the Cubs opted for surgery to address the issue permanently. The procedure means he’ll be sidelined for at least 12 months, with a potential return in summer 2026.
For Chicago, losing Steele is a major blow. Since his breakout 2023 season, he has been a reliable force in the rotation, posting a career 3.30 ERA across 91 starts.
P Chris Stratton    Kansas City Royals    Tupelo (Tupelo HS)
One month into the 2025 MLB season, Chris Stratton is still searching for consistency on the mound. The veteran reliever, now with the Kansas City Royals, has struggled in limited action, posting a 7.71 ERA across 4.2 innings.
The Mississippi State alumn has appeared in just three games, with mixed results. His toughest outing came in his season debut against the Cleveland Guardians, where he allowed two earned runs in 1.2 innings. However, he bounced back in his next appearance against the Baltimore Orioles, tossing a scoreless inning with a strikeout
Despite the rough start, the Royals remain hopeful that the Tupelo native can settle into his role as a reliable bullpen arm. His ability to generate weak contact and limit home runs has been a strength in past seasons, and Kansas City will need him to regain that form as the season progresses.
P Will Warren    New York Yankees   Flowood (Jackson Prep)
Will Warren is proving he belongs in the New York Yankees’ rotation. After a rocky start to his big-league career last season, the 25-year-old right-hander has shown resilience, delivering a much-needed boost to a Yankees pitching staff plagued by injuries.
Warren’s defining moment came on April 12, when he secured his first MLB victory against the San Francisco Giants. In his eighth career start, he tossed five solid innings, allowing just two runs on two hits, while striking out six in an 8-4 Yankees win. His performance couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Yankees’ rotation has struggled with a 5.46 ERA, the worst in MLB at the time.
The young pitcher’s journey hasn’t been easy. Last season, Warren endured growing pains, posting a 10.32 ERA across six appearances. But steady improvement throughout spring training earned him a spot in the Opening Day rotation, a role that now seems increasingly permanent given the Yankees’ injury woes
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