When the 2026 MLB Draft begins Saturday, Mississippi will once again have a sizable presence on the board. Oak Grove outfielder Eric Booth Jr. could hear his name called within the first several selections, while Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Southern Miss and several high schools around the state have additional prospects waiting for the phone to ring.
That is nothing new for a state that consistently produces far more baseball talent than its population might suggest.
Mississippi has sent first-rounders to professional baseball from SEC stadiums, small-town high schools and private-school diamonds. Some became major-league stars. Others never escaped the unpredictable grind of the minor leagues. But each of them left draft night with a permanent place in Mississippi baseball history.
For this list, a player qualifies by meeting at least one of three standards: playing high school baseball in Mississippi, being selected directly from a Mississippi high school or being drafted from a Mississippi college.
Entering the 2026 draft, no qualifying player has ever been selected first overall. The closest remains a Mississippi State legend whose name was called immediately after the opening pick more than four decades ago.
1. Will Clark — No. 2 Overall, 1985
School: Mississippi State (1983-85)
Hometown: New Orleans, LA (Jesuit HS)
Drafted by: San Francisco Giants
Position: First baseman
Years in MLB: 1986-2000
All-Star: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994
Before he became “Thunder,” the other half to Rafael Palmeiro aka “Lightning” Clark was the centerpiece of one of the most talented teams in Mississippi State history.
The New Orleans native hit .420 with 25 home runs during his final college season, helped lead the Bulldogs to the 1985 College World Series and won the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s top amateur player. The Giants selected him second overall, making him the highest-drafted player ever taken from a Mississippi school.
Clark quickly justified the selection. He homered off Nolan Ryan in his first major-league at-bat and developed into a six-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger winner and one of the defining players of his generation. He helped San Francisco reach the 1989 World Series and finished his 15-year career with 2,176 hits, 284 home runs and a .303 batting average.
More than 40 years later, Clark remains the standard everyone else on this list is chasing.
2. B.J. Wallace — No. 3 Overall, 1992
School: Mississippi State (1990-92)
Hometown: Monroeville, AL
Drafted by: Montreal Expos
Position: Left-handed pitcher
B.J. Wallace’s professional career never unfolded as the Montreal Expos hoped as he retired in 1997 after having never reaching above Double A, but his place in draft history remains secure.
The powerful left-hander was an All-American at Mississippi State and established a then-school record with 145 strikeouts during the 1992 season. Wallace also represented the United States at the Barcelona Olympics, where he struck out an Olympic-record 14 batters during an eight-inning shutout against Italy.
Montreal selected Wallace third overall, one three spots ahead of Derek Jeter. He remains the highest-drafted pitcher in Mississippi State history.
3. Drew Pomeranz — No. 5 Overall, 2010
School: Ole Miss
Hometown: Collierville, TN
Drafted by: Cleveland Indians
Position: Left-handed pitcher
Years in MLB: 2011-present
Current Team: Chicago Cubs
All-Star: 2016
Drew Pomeranz remains the highest-drafted player in Ole Miss baseball history.
The 6-foot-5 left-hander overwhelmed SEC hitters during his three seasons in Oxford. As a junior in 2010, he went 9-2 with a 2.24 ERA and struck out 139 hitters in 100⅔ innings. He finished his Ole Miss career as the program’s all-time strikeout leader with 344.
Cleveland selected Pomeranz fifth overall and later used him as the centerpiece of the trade that brought pitcher Ubaldo Jiménez to the Indians.
Pomeranz went on to pitch for several major-league organizations, earned an All-Star selection with San Diego in 2016 and became an important bullpen weapon for Boston and San Francisco. He also won a World Series championship with the Red Sox in 2018.
He is currently playing in 2026 for the Cubs, and he began the year struggling with the Angels.
4. Paul Maholm — No. 8 Overall, 2003
School: Mississippi State (2001-2003)
Hometown: Holly Springs, MS, High School: Germantown (TN)
Drafted by: Pittsburgh Pirates
Position: Left-handed pitcher
Years in MLB: 2005-2014
Paul Maholm’s road from Holly Springs to Mississippi State eventually carried him into the top 10 of the MLB Draft.
Maholm earned All-SEC and All-America recognition during each of his final two seasons in Starkville. The Pirates selected him eighth overall in 2003, making him the third-highest Mississippi State draft pick at the time.
Unlike many highly drafted pitchers, Maholm became a durable and dependable major-league starter. He reached Pittsburgh just two years after being selected and threw eight scoreless innings in his debut.
Maholm spent 10 seasons in the majors with the Pirates, Cubs, Braves and Dodgers. He finished with 77 victories, 984 strikeouts and more than 1,500 innings pitched, establishing himself as one of the longest-lasting pitchers on this list.
5. JoJo Parker — No. 8 Overall, 2025 (Toronto Blue Jays)
School: Purvis HS
Hometown: Purvis, MS
Drafted by: Toronto Blue Jays
Position: Shortstop
Current Team: Dunedin Blue Jays (A+)
JoJo Parker became the highest-drafted player in Mississippi high school baseball history when the Toronto Blue Jays selected the Purvis standout with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The smooth-fielding shortstop rocketed up draft boards during his senior season after hitting for both average and power while showcasing advanced defensive instincts at one of baseball’s premium positions. His signing bonus of more than $6 million ended what had been a strong commitment to Mississippi State.
Parker wasted little time proving he belonged among baseball’s elite prospects. During the 2026 season, the 19-year-old climbed three levels of the Blue Jays’ farm system and entered July batting .314 with 15 home runs, 57 RBIs, 19 doubles, 20 stolen bases and an OPS over .900, cementing himself as one of the top prospects in all of baseball. His polished left-handed swing, advanced approach at the plate and ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball have only reinforced Toronto’s decision to make him a top-10 pick.
While JoJo is beginning his professional career, baseball remains a family affair. His fraternal twin brother, Jacob Parker, honored his commitment to Mississippi State after being selected in the later rounds of the 2025 draft. Jacob immediately became one of the Bulldogs’ top freshmen, batting .339 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs during the 2026 season, giving Mississippi baseball one of the nation’s most remarkable brother stories, one twin developing into a future major league star in professional baseball while the other emerged as one of the SEC’s brightest young sluggers in Starkville.
6. Konnor Griffin — No. 9 Overall, 2024
School: Jackson Prep
Hometown: Flowood, MS
Drafted by: Pittsburgh Pirates
Position: Shortstop/outfielder
Years in MLB: 2026-present
Current Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
The Jackson Prep star was the first high school player chosen anywhere in that year’s draft. Griffin combined exceptional speed, power, arm strength and defensive versatility, giving scouts the possibility of a future five-tool major leaguer.
Griffin’s senior season only strengthened his reputation. He earned national player-of-the-year honors after helping Jackson Prep capture another state championship and was viewed as a potential shortstop, center fielder or even pitcher at the professional level.
Griffin’s professional career has only strengthened the belief that Pittsburgh found a franchise cornerstone. After racing through the Pirates’ farm system, the Jackson Prep product made his Major League debut in April 2026. Through his first 59 big league games, Griffin was batting .276 with five home runs, 25 RBIs, 35 runs scored and 20 stolen bases, quickly emerging as one of the National League’s most exciting young players before a finger injury sent him to the injured list shortly before the All-Star break. At just 20 years old, he has already begun validating the Pirates’ decision to make him the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
7. Braden Montgomery — No. 12 Overall, 2024
School: Stanford (2022-23) and Texas A&M (2024)
Drafted by: Boston Red Sox
Position: Outfielder
Years in MLB: 2026-present
Current Team: Chicago White Sox
Braden Montgomery left Mississippi after starring at Madison Central, but his rise toward the first round began in the Jackson metro area.
Montgomery was Mississippi’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2021 before enrolling at Stanford. After two seasons with the Cardinal, he transferred to Texas A&M and produced one of the country’s best offensive seasons, hitting .322 with 27 home runs and 85 RBIs.
Boston selected him 12th overall in 2024, making him one of two Mississippi high school products chosen within the first dozen picks that night.
Montgomery was later traded to the Chicago White Sox as part of the Garrett Crochet deal. Although he was drafted from Texas A&M, his development at Madison Central gives Mississippi another legitimate claim to one of the highest selections in recent draft history.
Montgomery’s professional career has taken off quickly since being traded to the White Sox organization. After climbing through the minor leagues, the former Madison Central star made his Major League debut on June 9, 2026, and immediately announced his arrival by launching a dramatic walk-off two-run home run in the 10th inning to beat the Braves—becoming one of the few players in MLB history to homer in that fashion during his debut. Through his first month in the majors, Montgomery is batting .224 with 2 home runs, 8 RBIs and a .661 OPS, while beginning to settle into Chicago’s everyday outfield. At just 23 years old, the Mississippi prep product has already shown the power and poise that made him the 12th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, giving White Sox fans another exciting young cornerstone to build around.
8. Hunter Renfroe — No. 13 Overall, 2013
School: Mississippi State
Hometown: Crystal Springs, MS (Copiah Academy)
Drafted by: San Diego Padres
Position: Outfielder
Years in MLB: 2016-2025
Hunter Renfroe entered Mississippi State with impressive tools but developed into a complete first-round prospect during the Bulldogs’ run to the 2013 College World Series championship series.
A native of Crystal Springs and a Copiah Academy graduate, Renfroe hit .345 with 16 home runs, 65 RBIs and a .636 slugging percentage during his junior season. He also possessed one of college baseball’s strongest outfield arms.
San Diego selected him 13th overall, making him the fourth-highest Mississippi State draft pick at the time.
Renfroe reached the majors in 2016 and established himself as a consistent power hitter. He has recorded multiple 30-home-run seasons and played for several organizations, including the Padres, Rays, Red Sox, Brewers, Angels and Royals. He is a Free Agent as of the 2026 season.
9. Justin Foscue — No. 14 Overall, 2020
School: Mississippi State
Hometown: Huntsville, AL
Drafted by: Texas Rangers
Position: Infielder
Years in MLB: 2024-present
Current Team: Texas Rangers
Justin Foscue arrived at Mississippi State without being selected out of high school and departed as the highest-drafted second baseman in program history.
Foscue helped lead the Bulldogs to consecutive College World Series appearances in 2018 and 2019. During his sophomore season, he hit .331 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs, emerging as one of the most polished offensive infielders in college baseball.
Texas selected him 14th overall in the pandemic-shortened 2020 draft. He became Mississippi State’s 16th first-round selection and formed a rare first-round Bulldog duo with Jordan Westburg, who went 30th overall.
Foscue later reached the majors with the Rangers, rewarding an organization that believed his compact swing and advanced approach would translate to professional baseball.
10. Will Bednar — No. 14 Overall, 2021
School: Mississippi State
Hometown: Mars, PA
Drafted by: San Francisco Giants
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Current Team: Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA)
Few players have ever improved their draft position during the College World Series quite like Will Bednar.
The Pennsylvania native became a Mississippi baseball legend during the Bulldogs’ 2021 national championship run. Bednar struck out 15 Texas hitters in Mississippi State’s opening game in Omaha, then returned on short rest and threw six no-hit innings against Vanderbilt in the championship series finale.
He was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player, and San Francisco selected him 14th overall less than two weeks later.
Bednar and Foscue share the same draft position, but Foscue is placed slightly higher here because he was selected one year earlier. In terms of overall pick, they are tied.
Bednar’s professional career has been slowed by injuries, but his draft-night rise remains directly connected to one of the greatest performances in Mississippi college baseball history.
As of 2026 he is currently with the Giants Double A affiliate in Richmond and has a 4.24 ERA in 21 appearances out of the bullpen.
Just Outside the Top 10
Just Outside the Top 10
Mississippi has produced plenty of other notable early-round selections. Ole Miss shortstop Jacob Gonzalez was selected 15th overall by the Chicago White Sox in 2023, narrowly missing the top 10 after helping lead the Rebels to the 2022 national championship. Delta State catcher Barry Lyons also went 15th overall, selected by the New York Mets in 1984 after an outstanding career in Cleveland. Lyons remains the highest-drafted player in Delta State history and the highest draft pick ever produced by a Mississippi school outside the SEC, later spending parts of seven seasons in the major leagues.
Mississippi State pitcher Chris Stratton was selected 20th overall by the San Francisco Giants in 2012, while fellow Bulldog Rafael Palmeiro went 22nd overall to the Chicago Cubs in 1985. Ole Miss left-hander Ryan Rolison was also taken 22nd overall, going to the Colorado Rockies in 2018.
Highest-Drafted Player from Each Mississippi College
Mississippi State: Will Clark, OF (Number 2 Overall 1985)
Ole Miss: Drew Pomeranz, P (Number 5 Overall 2010)
Delta State: Barry Lyons, C (Number 15 Overall 1984)
Southern Miss: Matt Wallner, OF (Number 39 Overall 2019)
Alcorn State: Al Jones, P (2nd Round 1974)
Belhaven: Thomas Robbins, P (9th Round 1970)
Mississippi Valley State: Robbie Gilbert, P (12th Round 1986)
Jackson State: Bryce Brown, OF (15th Round 2017)
Mississippi College: Bo Edmiston, P (15th Round 2003)
Millsaps: Gardner Wintzell, OF (18th Round 2006)
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