Mississippi’s baseball history extends far beyond the state’s borders. From the legendary “Thunder and Lightning” combination at Mississippi State to junior-college pitchers who developed into major-league aces, the state has produced or developed an impressive collection of MLB All-Stars.

In honor of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, Magnolia Coast Sports assembled an All-Time Mississippi MLB All-Star Team. To qualify, a player must have been born in Mississippi, played high school baseball in Mississippi or competed for a Mississippi college. He also must have been selected to at least one official Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The only exceptions I made was at catcher, as Mississippi has only produced one All-Star catcher

Each team include one Designated Hitter and pitching staffs include three starters and two relief pitchers. I was torn to include “Cool” Papa Bell, one of the fastest players to ever play. But ultimately, I left him off as he never played in MLB only the Negro Leagues.

First Team

First Team Catcher: Jerry Moses

Hometown: Yazoo City, MS
Mississippi Connection: Born in Yazoo City, MS
Professional Entry: Signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent, 1964
Major League Career: 1965–1975
Teams Played For: Red Sox (1965; 1968-70); Angels (1971); Indians (1972); Yankees (1973); Tigers (1974); Padres (1975); White Sox (1975)
MLB All-Star Selections: 1

Born in Yazoo City, Moses signed with the Boston Red Sox as a 17-year-old in 1964 and reached the majors the following season. In only his second major-league at-bat, the 18-year-old catcher hit a pinch-hit home run, making him the youngest Red Sox player to homer in franchise history at the time.

Moses became Boston’s primary catcher in 1970 and produced the best season of his career. He hit .263 with 18 doubles, six home runs and 35 RBIs while earning selection to the American League All-Star team. He was also named the BoSox Club’s Man of the Year for his contributions on and off the field.

Following his All-Star season, Moses was included in the trade that sent Tony Conigliaro from Boston to the California Angels. He later played for Cleveland, the New York Yankees, Detroit, San Diego and the Chicago White Sox.

First Base: Will Clark

Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Mississippi connection: Mississippi State
Draft: San Francisco Giants, first round, second overall, 1985
Major-league career: 1986–2000
Teams Played For: Giants (1986-93); Texas Rangers (1994-98); Orioles (1999-00); Cardinals (2000)
MLB All-Star selections: 6

“The Thrill” is one of the greatest players in Mississippi State history and the centerpiece of the first-team outfield. Will Clark formed the famous “Thunder and Lightning” combination with Rafael Palmeiro in Starkville and helped elevate Mississippi State into a national baseball power. The Giants selected him second overall in 1985, and he homered off Nolan Ryan in his first major-league plate appearance the following spring.

Clark finished his 15-year career with a .303 batting average, 2,176 hits, 284 home runs and 1,205 RBIs. He made six All-Star teams, won two Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove, and captured the 1989 National League Championship Series MVP after hitting .650 against the Chicago Cubs.

Second Base: Adam Frazier

Hometown: Watkinsville, GA
Mississippi connection: Mississippi State
Draft: Pittsburgh Pirates, sixth round, 179th overall, 2013
Major-league career: 2016–present
Teams Played For: Pirates (2016-21); Padres (2021); Mariners (2022); Orioles (2023); Royals (2024); Pirates (2025); Royals (2025); Angels (2026-present)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Adam Frazier became one of college baseball’s best contact hitters at Mississippi State and helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2013 College World Series championship round.

His best major-league season came in 2021, when he batted .305, collected 176 hits and represented Pittsburgh in the All-Star Game before being traded to San Diego. Frazier’s versatility has allowed him to remain in the majors as a second baseman, outfielder and valuable utility player.

Shortstop: Tim Anderson

Hometown: Tuscaloosa, AL
Mississippi connection: East Central Community College
Draft: Chicago White Sox, first round, 17th overall, 2013
Major-league career: 2016–2025
Teams Played For: White Sox (2016-23); Marlins (2024); Angels (2025)
MLB All-Star selections: 2

Tim Anderson barely played baseball before his junior year of high school, but his career changed after he arrived at East Central Community College in Decatur. Anderson hit .495 and stole 41 bases during his sophomore season, transforming himself into the 17th overall selection in the 2013 MLB Draft. He reached the majors with the White Sox in 2016 and became one of the most recognizable shortstops in baseball.

Anderson won the 2019 American League batting championship with a .335 average, earned a Silver Slugger in 2020 and made consecutive All-Star teams in 2021 and 2022. His walk-off home run into the Iowa corn during the 2021 Field of Dreams Game became one of the defining baseball moments of his generation.

Third Base: Austin Riley

Hometown: Southaven, MS
Mississippi connection: DeSoto Central High School
Draft: Atlanta Braves, competitive-balance first round, 41st overall, 2015
Major-league career: 2019–present
Teams Played For: Braves (2019-present)
MLB All-Star selections: 2

Austin Riley entered professional baseball directly from DeSoto Central and developed into a cornerstone of the Atlanta Braves. After debuting in 2019, Riley emerged as one of the National League’s top run producers. He helped Atlanta win the 2021 World Series and followed it with a breakout 2022 season in which he hit 38 home runs, finished sixth in MVP voting and earned his first All-Star selection.

Riley returned to the All-Star Game in 2023 and has also won multiple Silver Slugger Awards. Atlanta selected him 41st overall in 2015 after his career at DeSoto Central, where he originally gained attention as both a power hitter and a highly regarded pitcher.

First Team Outfield: Dave Parker

Hometown: Grenada, MS
Mississippi Connection: Born in Grenada
Draft: Pittsburgh Pirates, 14th Round, 1970 (Amateur Free Agent)
Major League Career: 1973–1991
Teams Played For: Pirates (1973-83); Reds (1984-87); Athletics (1988-89); Brewers (1990); Angels (1991); Blue Jays (1991)
MLB All-Star Selections: 7

Few players in baseball history possessed the combination of power, arm strength and athleticism that Dave Parker brought to the field. Born in Grenada before moving to Cincinnati as a child, Parker became one of the faces of baseball during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Nicknamed “The Cobra,” Parker won the 1978 National League MVP Award after hitting .334 with 30 home runs and 117 RBIs. He also captured National League batting titles in 1977 and 1978 while helping lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to the 1979 World Series championship. Throughout his 19-year career, Parker played for the Pirates, Reds, Athletics, Brewers, Angels and Blue Jays, winning a second World Series title with Oakland in 1989.

A seven-time MLB All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner and three-time Silver Slugger, Parker finished his career with 2,712 hits, 339 home runs and 1,493 RBIs. His powerful throwing arm became legendary, recording numerous highlight-reel assists from right field. His outstanding career was recognized with election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

First Team Outfield: Ellis Burks

Hometown: Vicksburg, MS
Mississippi Connection: Born in Vicksburg
Draft: Boston Red Sox, First Round (20th Overall), 1983
Major League Career: 1987–2004
Teams Played For: Red Sox (1987-92); White Sox (1993); Rockies (1994-98); Giants (1998-00); Indians (2001-03); Red Sox (2004)
MLB All-Star Selections: 2

Although he grew up in Texas, Ellis Burks was born in Vicksburg, giving Mississippi another elite major league outfielder to claim. Burks developed into one of baseball’s most complete offensive players during an outstanding 18-year career. He broke into the majors with Boston before enjoying productive stops with the White Sox, Rockies, Giants, Indians and Athletics.

His finest season came in 1996 with Colorado, when he hit .344 with 40 home runs, 128 RBIs, 142 runs scored and 32 stolen bases, finishing fifth in National League MVP voting. Burks earned All-Star selections in 1990 and 1996 while becoming one of only a handful of players in baseball history to record both 350 home runs and 180 stolen bases. He retired with a .291 career batting average, 2,107 hits, 352 home runs, 1,206 RBIs and 181 stolen bases, making him one of the greatest all-around players with Mississippi roots.

Outfield: Matt Lawton

Hometown: Gulfport, MS
Mississippi connection: Harrison Central High School and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Draft: Minnesota Twins, 13th round, 336th overall, 1991
Major-league career: 1995–2006
Teams Played For: Twins (1995-01); Mets (2001); Indians (2002-04); Pirates (2005); Cubs (2005); Yankees (2005); Mariners (2006)
MLB All-Star selections: 2

Matt Lawton was one of the American League’s most productive and underrated leadoff hitters around the turn of the century.

A Harrison Central graduate who attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Lawton played 12 major-league seasons and collected 1,273 hits, 138 home runs and 165 stolen bases. He made the All-Star team with Minnesota in 2000 and Cleveland in 2004. During his second All-Star season, Lawton scored a career-high 109 runs, hit 20 home runs and posted a .366 on-base percentage.

Designated Hitter: Rafael Palmeiro

Hometown: Havana, Cuba
Mississippi connection: Mississippi State
Draft: Chicago Cubs, first round, 22nd overall, 1985
Major-league career: 1986–2005
Teams Played For: Cubs (1986-88); Rangers (1989-93); Orioles (1994-98); Rangers (1999-03); Orioles (2004-05)
MLB All-Star selections: 4

One of the most productive hitters ever developed by a Mississippi college, Rafael Palmeiro starred alongside Will Clark at Mississippi State before the Chicago Cubs selected him in the first round.

Palmeiro accumulated 3,020 hits, 569 home runs and 1,835 RBIs during a 20-season career with the Cubs, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. He is one of only a handful of players in major-league history to reach both 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.

He represented the American League in four All-Star Games and also won three Gold Gloves and two Silver Slugger Awards. His career and legacy remain complicated by his 2005 suspension for a positive performance-enhancing-drug test, but his production places him among the most accomplished players connected to Mississippi baseball. Palmeiro was a three-time All-American at Mississippi State and played with Clark, Bobby Thigpen and Jeff Brantley in Starkville.

First-Team Pitching Staff

Starting Pitcher: Cliff Lee

Hometown: Benton, AR
Mississippi connection: Meridian Community College
Draft: Montreal Expos, fourth round, 105th overall, 2000
Major-league career: 2002–2014
Teams Played For: Indians (2002-09); Phillies (2009); Mariners (2010); Rangers (2010); Phillies (2011-14)
MLB All-Star selections: 4

Before becoming one of baseball’s most precise and dominant left-handers, Cliff Lee spent two seasons at Meridian Community College.Lee won the 2008 American League Cy Young Award after going 22–3 with a 2.54 ERA for Cleveland. He later became a postseason sensation with Philadelphia and Texas, helping both clubs reach the World Series.

Across 13 seasons, Lee won 143 games, struck out 1,824 and produced a 3.52 career ERA. He made four All-Star teams and led his league in ERA once, complete games twice and shutouts twice. MLB confirms that Lee attended Meridian Community College in 1998 and 1999 before transferring to Arkansas.

Starting Pitcher: Roy Oswalt

Hometown: Weir, MS
Mississippi connection: Weir High School and Holmes Community College
Draft: Houston Astros, 23rd round, 684th overall, 1996
Major-league career: 2001–2013
Teams Played For: Astros (2001-10); Phillies (2010-11); Rangers (2012); Rockies (2013)
MLB All-Star selections: 3

Roy Oswalt became one of the greatest draft bargains of the modern era. Houston selected the undersized right-hander from Holmes Community College in the 23rd round. Oswalt reached the majors in 2001 and immediately finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting.

He won 20 games in consecutive seasons, led the National League with a 2.98 ERA in 2006 and was named MVP of the 2005 National League Championship Series after helping Houston reach its first World Series. Oswalt finished with a 163–102 record, a 3.36 ERA and 1,852 strikeouts. He represented the Astros in three consecutive All-Star Games from 2005 through 2007.

Starting Pitcher: Boo Ferriss

Hometown: Shaw, MS
Mississippi connection: Shaw High School and Mississippi State
Professional entry: Signed by the Boston Red Sox, 1942
Major-league career: 1945–1950
MLB All-Star selections: 2

David “Boo” Ferriss was one of baseball’s brightest young pitchers immediately after World War II. The Shaw native attended Mississippi State before signing with Boston. Ferriss began his major-league career by throwing 22 consecutive scoreless innings and finished his 1945 rookie season with a 21–10 record and a 2.96 ERA.

He followed with 25 victories in 1946, helping the Red Sox reach the World Series. Ferriss made the All-Star team in each of his first two seasons and won 46 games during that span. Arm problems dramatically shortened his playing career, but he remained one of Mississippi baseball’s most influential figures. Ferriss later built Delta State into a national program, and the trophy awarded annually to Mississippi’s top college baseball player carries his name.

Relief Pitcher: Jonathan Papelbon

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Mississippi connection: Mississippi State
Draft: Boston Red Sox, fourth round, 114th overall, 2003
Major-league career: 2005–2016
Teams Played For: Red Sox (2005-11); Phillies (2012-15); Nationals (2015-16)
MLB All-Star selections: 6

Jonathan Papelbon developed at Mississippi State before becoming one of the most accomplished closers in major-league history. Papelbon saved 35 games as a rookie in 2006 and became the finishing force behind Boston’s 2007 World Series championship. He later became the all-time saves leader for both the Red Sox and Phillies.

His 368 career saves rank among the highest totals in baseball history. Papelbon made four consecutive American League All-Star teams from 2006 through 2009 and added National League selections in 2012 and 2015.

Relief Pitcher: Bobby Thigpen

Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
Mississippi connection: Mississippi State
Draft: Chicago White Sox, fourth round, 85th overall, 1985
Major-league career: 1986–1994
Teams Played For: White Sox (1986-93); Phillies (1993); Mariners (1994)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Bobby Thigpen’s peak season remains one of the greatest years ever produced by a relief pitcher. The Mississippi State standout saved a then-major-league-record 57 games for the Chicago White Sox in 1990. That record stood for 18 years before Francisco Rodríguez recorded 62 saves in 2008.

Thigpen earned his only All-Star selection during that historic season and finished fifth in American League Cy Young voting. He retired with 201 saves and a 3.43 ERA. Chicago selected him in the fourth round of the same 1985 draft that included fellow Bulldogs Will Clark, Rafael Palmeiro and Jeff Brantley.

Second Team

Catcher: Barry Lyons

Hometown: Biloxi, MS
Mississippi Connection: Biloxi High School; Delta State University
Draft: New York Mets, 15th Round (370th Overall), 1982
Major League Career: 1986–1995
Teams Played For: Mets (1986-90); Dodgers (1990-91); Angels (1991); White Sox (1995)
MLB All-Star Selections: None (exception at catcher)

Barry Lyons was one of the most decorated amateur catchers ever produced by the Magnolia State. After starring at Biloxi High School, Lyons became a four-time All-Gulf South Conference catcher and All-American at Delta State, where he was named Mississippi College Baseball Player of the Year in 1982 and set school career records in home runs and RBIs.

The New York Mets selected Lyons in the 15th round of the 1982 MLB Draft, and after developing into one of the organization’s top prospects, he debuted in 1986. He spent parts of 10 major league seasons with the Mets, Dodgers, Angels and White Sox, appearing in 253 games while batting .239 with 15 home runs and 89 RBIs.

Although he never reached the MLB All-Star Game, Lyons was widely regarded as one of the finest catchers ever developed in Mississippi. He was twice named the Mets’ Minor League Player of the Year and became a three-time minor league All-Star before later enjoying a successful career as a manager, executive and ambassador for baseball in Mississippi. These days you can find Barry Lyons roaming around Keesler Federal Park, as he is considered the Team Ambassador of the Biloxi Shuckers.

First Base: Mitch Moreland

Hometown: Amory, MS
Mississippi connection: Amory High School and Mississippi State
Draft: Texas Rangers, 17th round, 530th overall, 2007
Major-league career: 2010–2021
Teams Played For: Rangers (2010-16); Red Sox (2017-20); Padres (2020); Athletics (2021)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Mitch Moreland spent 12 seasons as a dependable power hitter, first baseman and clubhouse leader. He helped Texas Rangers reach consecutive World Series in 2010 and 2011, won a Gold Glove in 2016 and earned a World Series ring with Boston in 2018. Moreland made his only All-Star team with the Red Sox that same season.

The Amory native finished his career with 186 home runs and 618 RBIs. MLB records list him as a 17th-round selection out of Mississippi State.

Second Base: Brian Dozier

Hometown: Fulton, MS
Mississippi connection: Itawamba Agricultural High School and Southern Miss
Draft: Minnesota Twins, eighth round, 252nd overall, 2009
Major-league career: 2012–2020
Teams Played For: Twins (2012-18); Dodgers (2018); Nationals (2019); Mets (2020)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Brian Dozier developed from an eighth-round selection into one of baseball’s most dangerous power-hitting second basemen.

The Fulton native helped Southern Miss reach the 2009 College World Series before beginning a nine-season major-league career. Dozier hit 192 home runs, including 42 for Minnesota in 2016—the most ever hit in one season by an American League second baseman at the time.

He earned his All-Star selection in 2015, won a Gold Glove in 2017 and received a World Series ring with the Washington Nationals in 2019. His 167 home runs as a second baseman remain one of the largest totals of his era. MLB records list him as a 2009 eighth-round selection out of Southern Miss.

Shortstop: Zack Cozart

Hometown: Collierville, TN
Mississippi connection: Ole Miss
Draft: Cincinnati Reds, second round, 79th overall, 2007
Major-league career: 2011–2019
Teams Played For: Reds (2011-17); Angels (2018-19)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Zack Cozart built his reputation as an excellent defensive shortstop before putting together a career offensive season in 2017.The former Ole Miss standout hit .297 with 24 home runs, 63 RBIs and a .933 OPS that season, earning the starting shortstop position for the National League All-Star team.

Cozart spent most of his nine-year career with Cincinnati before finishing with the Los Angeles Angels. He was selected by the Reds in the second round after helping Ole Miss reach three consecutive NCAA super regionals.

Third Base: Bill Melton

Hometown: Gulfport, MS
Mississippi connection: Born in Gulfport
Professional entry: Signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent, 1964
Major-league career: 1968–1977
Teams Played For: White Sox (1968-75); Angels (1976); Indians (1977)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Bill “Beltin’ Bill” Melton became one of the most feared power hitters in Chicago White Sox history.Though he went to high school he was born in Gulfport. He led the American League with 33 home runs in 1971, becoming the first White Sox player to win an American League home-run championship.

Melton made the All-Star team that season and finished his 10-year career with 160 home runs. At the time of his departure from Chicago, he was the franchise’s career home-run leader.

Outfield: Chet Lemon

Hometown: Jackson, MS
Mississippi Connection: Born in Jackson
Draft: Oakland Athletics, First Round (22nd Overall), 1972
Major League Career: 1975–1990
Teams Played For: White Sox (1975-81); Tigers (1982-90)
MLB All-Star Selections: 3

Born in Jackson before moving to California, Chet Lemon became one of the premier defensive center fielders of his generation.After making his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox, Lemon blossomed into one of the American League’s most consistent outfielders before helping anchor the Detroit Tigers throughout the 1980s.

Lemon earned three All-Star selections and was a key member of Detroit’s 1984 World Series championship team. Known for his tremendous range and reliable glove in center field, he combined elite defense with surprising power, finishing his career with 215 home runs and nearly 1,900 hits.

Over 16 seasons, Lemon compiled a .273 batting average, 1,875 hits, 215 home runs and 884 RBIs. His outstanding defense and postseason success make him one of the greatest Mississippi-born players to reach the major leagues

Outfield: Corey Dickerson

Hometown: Brookhaven, MS
Mississippi connection: Brookhaven Academy and Meridian Community College
Draft: Colorado Rockies, eighth round, 260th overall, 2010
Major-league career: 2013–2023
Teams Played For: Rockies (2013-15); Rays (2016-17); Pirates (2018-19); Phillies (2019); Marlins (2020-21); Blue Jays (2021); Cardinals (2022); Nationals (2023)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Corey Dickerson combined an aggressive approach with one of the sweetest left-handed swings of his generation.

The McComb native attended Brookhaven Academy and Meridian Community College before Colorado selected him in the eighth round. He became an All-Star with Tampa Bay in 2017, batting .282 with 27 home runs and 33 doubles.

Dickerson later won a Gold Glove with Pittsburgh in 2018 and finished his 11-year career with a .280 average, 136 home runs and a .799 OPS. His high school and Meridian Community College both retired his jersey.

Outfield: Brent Rooker

Hometown: Germantown, TN
Mississippi connection: Mississippi State
Draft: Minnesota Twins, competitive-balance first round, 35th overall, 2017
Major-league career: 2020–present
Teams Played For: Twins (2020-21); Padres (2022); Royals (2022); Athletics (2023-present)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Brent Rooker’s road to stardom included stops with Minnesota, San Diego and Kansas City before he finally received an extended opportunity with the Athletics.Rooker broke out in 2023 with 30 home runs and earned his first All-Star selection. He followed it with an even stronger 2024 season, establishing himself as one of the American League’s most productive designated hitters.

At Mississippi State, Rooker won the 2017 SEC Triple Crown by leading the conference in batting average, home runs and RBIs. Minnesota selected him 35th overall later that year.

Designated Hitter: George Scott

Hometown: Greenville, MS
Mississippi connection: Coleman High School
Draft: Signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent, 1962
Major-league career: 1966–1979
Teams Played For: Red Sox (1966-71); Brewers (1972-76); Red Sox (1977-79); Royals (1979); Yankees (1979)
MLB All-Star selections: 3

George “Boomer” Scott brought tremendous power, personality and defense to the middle of a major-league lineup. Scott went from Coleman High School in Greenville to the Boston Red Sox organization. As a rookie in 1966, he hit 27 home runs, drove in 90 and made his first All-Star Game. He later helped Boston win the 1967 American League pennant.

Scott made three All-Star teams, won eight Gold Gloves and led the American League with 36 home runs and 109 RBIs for Milwaukee in 1975. He finished with 1,992 hits, 271 home runs and 1,051 RBIs.

Second-Team Pitching Staff

Starting Pitcher: Lance Lynn

Hometown: Brownsburg, IN
Mississippi connection: Ole Miss
Draft: St. Louis Cardinals, supplemental first round, 39th overall, 2008
Major-league career: 2011–2024
Teams Played For: Cardinals (2011-2015; 2017); Twins (2018); Yankees (2018); Rangers (2019-20); White Sox (2021-23); Dodgers (2023); Cardinals (2024)
MLB All-Star selections: 2

Lance Lynn became one of the most durable power pitchers of his era after setting Ole Miss’ career strikeout record.Lynn helped St. Louis win the 2011 World Series as a rookie and made his first All-Star team the following season. After returning from Tommy John surgery, he reinvented himself and made another All-Star team with the Chicago White Sox in 2021.

He finished his career with more than 2,000 innings, 143 victories and 2,000 strikeouts. MLB lists Lynn as a two-time All-Star and the 39th overall selection in the 2008 draft.

Starting Pitcher: Justin Steele

Hometown: Lucedale, MS
Mississippi connection: George County High School
Draft: Chicago Cubs, fifth round, 139th overall, 2014
Major-league career: 2021–present
Teams Played For: Cubs (2021-present)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Justin Steele went directly from George County High School into the Chicago Cubs organization.

After years of injuries and development in the minor leagues, Steele established himself as a major-league starter and earned his first All-Star selection in 2023. He finished that season 16–5 with a 3.06 ERA and placed fifth in National League Cy Young voting.

Steele was Mississippi’s Class 5A Player of the Year as a high school senior after going 5–1 with a 0.98 ERA and striking out 92 hitters in 43 innings.

Starting Pitcher: Drew Pomeranz

Hometown: Collierville, TN
Mississippi connection: Ole Miss
Draft: Cleveland Indians, first round, fifth overall, 2010
Major-league career: 2011–present
Teams Played For: Rockies (2011-13); Athletics (2014-15); Padres (2016); Red Sox (2016-18); Giants (2019); Brewers (2019); Padres (2020-21); Cubs (2025); Angels (2026); Cubs (2026-present)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Drew Pomeranz arrived at Ole Miss as one of the nation’s most highly regarded pitchers and developed into the fifth overall selection in the 2010 draft.

His best season as a starter came with San Diego in 2016, when he posted a 2.47 ERA during the first half and earned a National League All-Star selection.

Pomeranz later reinvented himself as a dominant reliever. He helped Boston win the 2018 World Series and became a valuable late-inning arm for Milwaukee and San Diego when healthy. He currently pitches for the Cubs.

Relief Pitcher: Jeff Brantley

Hometown: Florence, AL
Mississippi connection: Mississippi State
Draft: San Francisco Giants, sixth round, 134th overall, 1985
Major-league career: 1988–2001
Teams Played For: Giants (1988-93); Reds (1994-97); Cardinals (1998); Phillies (1999-2000); Rangers (2001)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Jeff Brantley was another member of Mississippi State’s extraordinary mid-1980s collection of future major leaguers.Brantley made the 1990 National League All-Star team as a setup reliever for San Francisco. He later became Cincinnati’s closer and led the National League with 44 saves in 1996. “The Cowboy” finished his 14-year career with 172 saves and a 3.39 ERA before beginning a long broadcasting career.

He would become known to younger audiences as the voice of Major League Baseball on ESPN calling Sunday Night Baseball for a number of years.

Relief Pitcher: Kendall Graveman

Hometown: Alexander City, AL
Mississippi connection: Mississippi State
Draft: Toronto Blue Jays, eighth round, 239th overall, 2013
Major-league career: 2014–2024
Teams Played For: Blue Jays (2014); Athletics (2015-18); Mariners (2020-21); Astros (2021); White Sox (2022-23); Astros (2023); Diamondbacks (2025)
MLB All-Star selections: 1

Kendall Graveman reached the majors as a starting pitcher before injuries forced him to rebuild his career in the bullpen. The former Mississippi State right-hander became a high-leverage reliever for Seattle and Houston and was selected to the 2021 American League All-Star team. He was traded from Seattle to Houston shortly after that season’s All-Star break and helped the Astros reach the World Series.

Graveman also contributed to Mississippi State’s run to the 2013 College World Series finals.


1st Team

C – Jerry Moses
1B – Will Clark
2B – Adam Frazier
SS – Tim Anderson
3B – Austin Riley
OF – Dave Parker
OF – Ellis Burke
OF – Matt Lawton
DH – Rafael Palmeiro

SP – Cliff Lee
SP – Roy Oswalt
SP – Boo Ferris
RP – Jonathan Papelbon
RP – Bobby Thigpen

2nd Team
C – Barry Lyons
1B – Mitch Moreland
2B – Brian Dozier
SS – Zach Cozart
3B – Bill Melton
OF – Chet Lemon
OF – Corey Dickerson
OF – Brent Rooker
DH – George Scott

SP – Lance Lynn
SP – Justin Steele
SP – Drew Pomeranz
RP – Jeff Brantley
RP – Kendall Graveman

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