STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball’s Nate Chester stuck out against Virginia in the Charlottesville Regional, marking the end of the Bulldogs’ time in the NCAA Tournament.

As he walked back toward the dugout, he carried with him the start of a crucial offseason for coach Chris Lemonis.

The Bulldogs returned to the postseason this year for the first time since winning the national title in 2021. Mississippi State won 17 games in regular-season SEC play after combining to win 18 across the previous two seasons. However, unlike last year, Lemonis is expected to lose much of his core this offseason.

Outfielder Dakota Jordan, ambidextrous pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, right-hander Khal Stephen, right-hander Nate Dohm and first baseman Hunter Hines are among the top 200 prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft, according to MLB.com.

To fill those holes — along with voids left from players electing to transfer — the portal is going to be crucial for Mississippi State.

The transfer window opened June 3. Players have until July 2 to inform their school of their intention to enter the portal.

Keep up with the Bulldogs’ latest transfer movement here.

Players leaving Mississippi State baseball via transfer portal

LHP Cole Cheatham

Cheatham entered the portal on June 5, according to multiple reports. Across three seasons at Mississippi State, he appeared in 28 games with one start. He has a 7.39 career ERA.

RHP Logan Forsythe

Forsythe entered the portal on June 5, according to multiple reports. In two years at MSU, he made 13 appearances and recorded a 10.80 ERA.

INF/OF/LHP Jackson McKenzie

McKenzie entered the portal on June 11, he announced via social media. He appeared in 11 games and hit .188 as a freshman in 2024.

INF Jace Norton

Norton entered the portal on June 13, he announced via social media. He did not play as a freshman this year.

LHP Max Miller

Miller entered the portal on June 13, according to D1Baseball. He didn't play as a freshman in 2023. This year, he made one appearance.

RHP Gage Haley

Haley entered the portal on June 14, according to D1Baseball. As a freshman this year, he threw two innings for MSU.

RHP Jud Files

Files entered the portal on July 1, according to D1Baseball. The class of 2023 recruit did not appear in a game for the Bulldogs.

OFFSEASON MODE: Mississippi State baseball made NCAA Tournament. Is it enough to attract players for 2025?

Players joining Mississippi State baseball via transfer portal

3B Gehrig Frei

Frei committed to Mississippi State on June 8, he announced via social media. He comes to MSU after three years at North Alabama, though he didn't play as a freshman in 2022. This year, he hit .320 with 15 homes runs and 49 RBIs. In two games against SEC foes (Ole Miss and Mississippi State) this season, Frei was 3-for-8 with a home run.

Frei is a product of South Forsyth High School where he played with former MSU pitcher Landon Sims.

INF Sawyer Reeves

Reeves committed to MSU on June 11, he announced via social media. He comes to Mississippi State from The Citadel — Lemonis’ alma mater. Reeves hit .304 as a senior this year.

RHP/INF Noah Sullivan

Sullivan announced his commitment to Mississippi State on June 17. He comes to MSU from USC Upstate. With the Spartans, he .313 with 22 home runs across three seasons. On the mound, he made 29 appearances with 17 starts with a 3.95 career ERA.

DH Ace Reese

Reese committed to Mississippi State on July 2. The lefty designated hitter was an All-Big 12 Freshman Team selection last season at Houston. He batted .278 last season with seven home runs, 34 RBIs and 33 runs.

RHP Jacob Pruitt

Pruitt committed to Mississippi State on July 3 via social media. The sophomore from Yorktown, Indiana had a 3.02 ERA this season in 13 appearances and five starts.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3. 

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State baseball transfer tracker for Chris Lemonis in 2024