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The 2025 Ole Miss Rebel Baseball weekend rotation will be headlined by the return of Hunter Elliott

New Pitching Coach Joel Mangrum has a deep staff for his first season at Ole Miss. Headlining that is none other than Hunter Elliott, who will return to the rotation after practically two years of absence. There are plenty of other familiar names and a pair of newcomers who will all compete for a spot in the weekend rotation.
ByDrew Moore|
Jun 20, 2022; Omaha, NE, USA; Ole Miss Rebels starting pitcher Hunter Elliott (26) throws against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
Jun 20, 2022; Omaha, NE, USA; Ole Miss Rebels starting pitcher Hunter Elliott (26) throws against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
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Mason Nichols

Nichols was another one of the pitchers that the staff really wanted to convince back for more seasons. He certainly has the potential to be in the mix for a rotation spot, especially early in the season if the staff plans to work Townsend in. We have seen Nichols in a starting role before, as he started six games last year. He held his own and would undoubtedly be a serviceable Sunday starter. However, he will be much more valuable to this team in a predictable usage role out of the bullpen, and that is where I expect him to contribute.

Alex Canney

Lastly, we have Division II transfer Alex Canney. Canney comes to Ole Miss with one year of eligibility remaining after an impressive career at the University of Tampa, including a national championship. Canney is a two-time Division II All-American and a former Sunshine State Conference Pitcher of the Year. He has nearly 30 career starts, 24 wins, and 223 innings pitched. In that workload, he has posted an ERA of 2.66, a WHIP of 1.17, and 195 Ks.

All of this was done at a much lower level and will certainly be an adjustment to the SEC. He also seems to lack top-end stuff. However, Canney provides an extremely experienced arm and high-floor potential. I think you can see him in the weekend rotation early in the season, especially if Townsend isn’t quite ready for the role.

Where I see Canney being long-term and for this team to be most successful is the midweek role. This fits well for multiple reasons. First, most of the opponents are lower-level teams. Two, Canney will be a consistent option, eating up innings in the midweek games and allowing the staff to work in younger bullpen arms while saving top arms for the weekends. Third, he will be hungry for the three marquee midweek matchups: two against Southern Miss and the Governor’s Cup. Having an arm like Canney deep on the roster is the depth you need to make runs in the SEC tournament to win Regionals.

Stay tuned for much more Baseball coverage at Ole Hotty Toddy. Including a bullpen preview, a story on another potential breakout freshman, an opening weekend preview, and a season prediction special.

We are only a few weeks away from the first pitch, and I plan to cover every Rebel baseball game this year!

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