Rebel Nation celebrates 11 MLB Draft picks, led by Mason Morris

The MLB Draft now marks a major point in roster building for college baseball teams, especially with the transfer portal. Several Rebel portal additions were draft risks, and teams across the country had their transfers plucked by the pro ranks. For the Rebels the results were overall mixed.

The Rebels only had one player drafted on day one, and that was relief pitcher Mason Morris, who was taken in the third round by the Cincinnati Reds. However, the Rebels had many others expected to be taken and several 50/50 players that they hoped to get back.

3B Luke Hill - Cleveland Guardians - Round 4, Overall 132

The first player off the board what infielder Luke Hill. Hill put together a really solid career in college, especially in his final year at Ole Miss. Hill began his career in Oxford with some controversy but ended it as a leader of the team that put Ole Miss baseball back on the map.

Hill slashed .336/.459/.488 in 2025 and was named to the All-SEC second team. Hill transferred to Ole Miss in 2024 following his freshman season at Arizona State. He was not expected to return to school prior to the draft, and his slot value with this pick is roughly $560,000.

SS Coy James - Washington Nationals - Round 5, Overall 142 - Signee

James was the top high school signee for the Rebels this year. Heading into his senior year of high school, James had a chance to get drafted in the first round. It was always a long shot that he would ever step foot in Oxford, but he did fall significantly down draft boards as questions emerged over his long-term projectability. However, James did not go through summer workouts, a tell-tale sign that he was angling for the professional ranks.

LHP Grant Richardson - Athletics - Round 6, Overall 170 - Transfer

This is a brutal loss for next year's staff. Richardson was signed out of the transfer portal from Grand Canyon University. He missed all the 2025 season with Tommy John surgery, but was expected to step right in and be a force in the SEC. Richard sits 95-97 on the fastball and can run it up into the upper 90s. In 2024 Richardson started 9 games and pitched 50 innings to a 3.73 ERA and struck out 70 batters. However, the return of Hunter Elliott significantly lessens the blow of losing Richardson.

RHP Will McCausland - Cleveland Guardians - Round 7, Overall 222

The only other 50/50 player that the Rebels will be losing in Will McCausland. The staff hoped to bring him back to be a key cog in the bullpen. He was essentially the second long relief guy out of the bullpen behind Morris and was typically the first to take the ball on Saturdays following Maddox.

McCausland was Joel Mangrum's first recruit he handpicked after arriving at Ole Miss. He transferred to Ole Miss from St. Joseph's and saw a major improvement in his game. He is one of the prime case studies for the development that Mangrum was able to do. This is another loss for next year, but luckily the Rebels loaded up on arms in the transfer portal.

RHP Riley Maddox - Washington Nationals - Round 8, Overall 231

One of the two national champions drafted. Maddox missed the back half of 2022 after suffering a UCL tear, as well as the first 3/4ths of 2023. The first real year of his Rebel career was in 2024 when he ended up becoming the Friday night starter.

He flashed some promise, and with him moving to the Saturday role, big things were expected in 2025. However, much of it was a roller coaster with Riley. There would be a great start followed by an implosion where he couldn't make it out of the second innings. Perhaps none more fitting than his start in the Oxford regional against Murray State. In 16 starts this season, Maddox pitched to a 5.56 ERA.

RHP Mason Nichols - Tampa Bay Rays - Round 9, Overall 267

The other national champion drafted in this one came off the board shortly after Maddox. Nichols had an underrated career in terms of what he did for Ole Miss. Nichols made 77 career appearance, pitching 162 innings, a 4.61 ERA and struck out 184 batters.

In his 2025 season, Nichols was moved full time into a starter role, filling the Sunday slot. I never thought that it was a proper role for him, and I always felt he would be much better off as a middle reliever. I think it would have benefited the team this season much more, but the team was limited in terms of pitching depth.

RHP Connor Spencer - Chicago Cubs - Round 12, Overall 361

Spencer came to the Rebels in 2024 after stops at Mississippi Gulf Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College, and Southeastern Louisiana. Spencer flashed some promise in his first season at Ole Miss, but he had a decision to make after being drafted in the 16th round by the Athletics. Spencer elected to return to Ole Miss and assume the full-time closing role. Even battling through shoulder injuries this season, Spencer delivered lockdown stuff.

RHP Patrick Galle - Boston Red Sox - Round 17, Overall 508

This was a bit of a shocking selection. Galle in his two seasons at Ole Miss has pitch sparingly. He has pitched just 11 innings and has an ERA north of 8. However, the arm talent in undeniable and that is what MLB teams are looking at. He sits right around 100 MPH and reportedly can touch 103 in bullpen sessions.

That is something you can't teach. He has flashed a bit more in the Cape this summer, but still suffers massively with 10 walks in 8 innings. I don't expect him to sign and if he can continue to develop he is a future top 5 round pick just based on arm talent.

RHP Brayden Jones - Tampa Ray Rays - Round 18, Overall 537

This will be an interesting one. Jones, a fireballer, was putting together a mixed season, but he was the leading candidate to take over the closing role for the Rebels in 2025. However, Jones had to undergo Tommy John surgery halfway through the season and will miss the entire 2025 season. We will see if he decides to stay in school and play in the 2026 season, but he will be quite old by then, and it might just make sense to get into an organization for the rehab process.

RHP Sam Tookoian - Los Angeles Angels - Round 20, Overall 589

Tookoian is now technically a former Rebel, as he entered the transfer portal on the last day it was open. Tookoian however never really emerged as a serious contributor and his playing time actually decreased throughout his three years in Oxford. He made 20 appearances as a freshman, flashing a ton of promise, however in never came to fruition.

He pitched just 9 innings in 2024 and 3 in 2025. He career ERA at Ole Miss was 4.81. This selection clearly shows the potential that he holds, but it never clicked with the Rebels and Joel Mangrum wasn't able to unlock it in year one. Now it is still possible for him to return, especially with McCausland departing, however a change of scenery seems to be the best outcome.