There is a lot of buzz around Starkville, Miss. for the 2026 college baseball season. Head coach Brian O’Connor is about to enter his first season with the Mississippi State Bulldogs after an elite tenure with the Virginia Cavaliers.
World Baseball Network takes a look at the key returners in the lineup for Mississippi State this upcoming season.
Star Hitter Ace Reese is Back in Starkville
Ace Reese is returning to the Mississippi State infield for his junior season. He put together an elite season for the Bulldogs in 2025.
Reese had a .347 batting average and a .419 on-base percentage. He also hit 21 home runs and had 64 RBIs as well.
The Mississippi State star was the SEC Newcomer of the Year in 2025 after transferring into Starkville from Houston.
The National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) named him a first-team All-American.
In 2026, Reese is poised to be one of the best players in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He is a viable candidate for the 2026 SEC Player of the Year Award.
Graduate Veterans Bryce Chance and Gehrig Frei Returning to Mississippi State
Two key graduate-year players for the Bulldogs in 2026 are Bryce Chance and Gehrig Frei.
In 2025, Chance showed much-improved strides in his game compared to the 2024 season.
He had a .332 batting average and a .399 on-base percentage in 208 at-bats. Chance also had 14 doubles, 43 RBIs, and stole 10 bases. He was a part of the 2025 Tallahassee All-Regional team during the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Frei was a great switch-hitter for Mississippi State in 2025. He had a .340 batting average with 10 doubles, eight home runs, and 17 RBIs while playing in 49 games.
Both Chance and Frei are going to play large roles in Mississippi State’s offense in 2026.
Outfielder Reed Stallman is a Major Breakout Candidate for the Bulldogs
Reed Stallman showed off some power within Mississippi State’s lineup last season. In 117 at-bats, he had 11 home runs while having 31 hits and 34 RBIs.
He will be a major presence and a potential breakout candidate in the Bulldogs’ outfield this season alongside players like Chance and incoming Virginia transfer Aidan Teel.
Two-Way Player Noah Sullivan is one of Mississippi State’s Best Players Heading into 2026
Noah Sullivan was a prominent two-way player in 2025 at Mississippi State after transferring into Starkville from USC Upstate.
He had a 1.96 ERA on the mound for the Bulldogs in 18 1/3 innings of work. At the plate, he was also a big-time hitter.
Sullivan had a .342 batting average with 15 doubles, 15 home runs, and 46 RBIs. The NCBWA named him a first-team All-American.
Up Next for Mississippi State
The Mississippi State Bulldogs will begin the 2026 college baseball season on February 13 against the Hofstra Pride.
The game is at Mississippi State’s home ballpark, Dudy Noble Field. The first pitch is at 5 p.m. EST.
NCAA news: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: Mississippi State outfielder Bryce Chance (38) celebrates between third base and home plate during an NCAA regional baseball game against Northeastern on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
