STARKVILLE — Despite crisp temperatures, a lack of sunshine and rainy conditions expected throughout the week, baseball season has arrived at Mississippi State.

MSU opens a three-game set against Air Force on Friday (4 p.m., SEC Network+), signaling the start of an important season for coach Chris Lemonis. The Bulldogs have failed to make a postseason appearance in back-to-back years after winning the national title in 2021.

Here’s our projections for Mississippi State’s batting order and starting lineup to open the season.

Mississippi State baseball projected starting lineup

2B Amani Larry

After transferring from New Orleans, Larry had a terrific first season at MSU – hitting .297 with seven home runs in 53 games. In a loaded middle-infield, Larry’s bat makes him an obvious starting candidate.

SS David Mershon

Mershon had to be helped off the field in MSU’s final scrimmage Saturday, suggesting he could miss some time. Last season as a freshman, he didn’t appear in a game until March 7. However, he became a staple in the lineup, starting 25 games and hitting .280 with a .427 on-base percentage.

Mershon moved throughout MSU’s lineup, but the preseason scrimmages suggest he could hit second when healthy. Without him, expect freshman Dylan Cupp to cracking the starting lineup.

1B Hunter Hines

Hines is a prototypical left-handed slugger who would fit in the cleanup spot, but he thrived as the No. 3 hitter for Mississippi State last season. In two seasons, Hines is a career .299 hitter with 38 home runs. He’s an All-SEC candidate at first, as long as his defense holds up.

RF Dakota Jordan

Jordan was a freshman All-American last year and a preseason All-American entering this season. MSU expects big things from the Jackson Academy product.

LF Bryce Chance

Chance was the odd-man out in a loaded outfield last season, and an injury didn’t help. Now healthy, Chance has an opportunity to improve on a promising 2023 slate in which he hit .330 and made 27 starts in 36 apperances.

3B Logan Kohler

Kohler was one of State’s top portal additions, coming from Memphis as a quality defender at third and a reliable left-handed hitter. He hit .330 last season with 11 home runs. Lemonis often looks to have good balance between left-handed and right-handed hitters in his lineup, so Kohler is an option in various spots in a right-heavy bottom of the lineup.

CF Connor Hujsak

Hujsak, behind a strong summer of independent ball, emerged as a candidate to replace Colton Ledbetter in center. Hujsak appeared in 25 games last season but started only six. He hit .238 with two home runs.

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C Ross Highfill

Highfill surpassed Luke Hancock as the starting catcher last season, and the spot is his to lose as a sophomore. He hit .231 as a freshman, but he collected nine home runs. Improved defense at catcher is a must for MSU. If the Bulldogs can get offensive production from the position, it’s an added bonus.

DH Johnny Long

Mississippi State has a plethora of options as designated hitter, which could shake up the lineup. If Hines struggles at first, he could go back to DH and force a freshman such as Nolan Stevens or Jackson McKenzie into the lineup.

MSU could also utilize it’s middle-infield depth through the DH. If Cupp’s defense deserves a spot at shortstop and moves Mershon to second, Larry could slot in at DH.

Early on, the experience of Long should give him a chance to crack the lineup. He transferred to MSU after two seasons at Pittsburgh. Prior to Pitt, he spent two years at Florida Gulf Coast. Long hit .250 last season with two home runs.

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: Projecting Chris Lemonis starting lineup