Mississippi State baseball predictions 2023 for Chris Lemonis, KC Hunt

STARKVILLE — A year ago, Mississippi State baseball entered the season with a championship logo being added to the outfield wall at Dudy Noble Field. Expectations were as high as ever for a storied program fresh off its first national title run.

This season is different. The Bulldogs are underdogs after finishing last in the SEC West last year with a record below .500.

Mississippi State was picked by the conference’s coaches to finish last again and is absent from national preseason polls. To again fight for a chance at the College World Series, Mississippi State is going to need to do some unexpected things.

Here are three of our bold predictions for MSU ahead of its season opener against VMI on Friday (3 p.m., SEC Network+).

Mississippi State baseball numbers to know

2022 record: 26-30, 9-21 SEC

2022 SEC West finish: 7th

Top returning hitters: Hunter Hines, 1B, So. (.300, 16 HR, 126 total bases); Luke Hancock, C, Gr. (.279, 90 total bases, .406 OBP); Kellum Clark (.257, 14 HR, 104 total bases)

Top returning pitchers: Cade Smith, RHP, Jr. (4-4, 3.86 ERA, .221 opponent batting average); KC Hunt, RHP, Sr. (2-4, 7.46 ERA, 1.3 SO/inning); Pico Kohn, LHP, So. (2-2, 4.91 ERA, 35 SO)

Top newcomer: Colton Ledbetter, OF, Jr. (transfer from Samford)

KC Hunt will be an All-SEC starter

Hunt was expected to be a starter for MSU last season. However, an injury in his opening start led to a month off. When he returned, it was as a relief pitcher. He eventually turned into State’s most reliable back-end arm. With an offseason to reset and establish himself as a starter, a healthy Hunt could be a problem for opposing hitters.

Mississippi State will be top 15 by April

The latter half of Mississippi State’s schedule is loaded. The Bulldogs face six of the nation’s top 10 preseason teams between March 24 and May 20. In order to build a postseason resume, winning in the first month will be crucial. Coach Chris Lemonis will do whatever it takes to win early in the year, which could result in MSU climbing up the rankings.

Mississippi State will have the SEC’s best offense

Putting together a pitching staff will be the tougher task for Lemonis because the offense is stacked and balanced. The Bulldogs have power from both sides of the plate, which gives Lemonis opportunities to move players around and find favorable matchups every night.