The 2016 Clarion-Ledger baseball Dandy Dozen – Jackson Clarion Ledger
Riley Self
Pitcher
Magnolia Heights
Self, a preseason Louisville Slugger All-American, was 7-2 last season with a 1.83 ERA. A Mississippi State signee, he struck out 80 batters in 61 ⅓ innings and walked just nine. Self also hit .381 with four home runs and 10 doubles.
Dustin Skelton
Catcher
Magnolia Heights
Skelton, like his teammate a Louisville Slugger All-American and Mississippi State commit, is one of the best catchers in the state. He hit .500 as a junior with 15 doubles, three triples and two home runs, slugging .800 for the season.
Walker Robbins
Pitcher/first base
George County
Robbins played in the Perfect Game All-American Game last summer, and for good reason: as a junior he hit .348 with 13 extra-base hits (including four home runs), and really shined on the mound with an 8-2 record, 1.47 ERA and 82 strikeouts. A Mississippi State signee, Robbins is considered a standout defensive first baseman.
Jacob Edwards
Shortstop/pitcher
Newton County
Edwards will play both positions for Newton County this season, but he really shines at shortstop where he’s excellent defensively. An East Central Community College signee, Edwards hit .398 with four doubles and a pair of home runs as a junior. He was 6-2 with a 1.79 ERA on the mound, including four complete games in nine starts.
Jason Barber
Pitcher/third base
Oxford
One of two returning first-team All-State players, the right-handed Barber did not allow an earned run as a junior with a sensational 12-0 record (including eight shutouts) and 110 strikeouts in 78 innings. Barber also excelled at the plate, hitting eight home runs with a .337 average and 35 RBI. Barber, also a Louisville Slugger All-American, has signed with Ole Miss.
Grae Kessinger
Shortstop
Oxford
Kessinger has loads of accolades to his credit, including Louisville Slugger All-American and an appearance in the Under Armour All-American Game. It’s not hard to figure out why: the Ole Miss signee is a big, projectable athlete with great numbers (.354 average, 36 RBI, 13 doubles, .469 on-base percentage, 19 stolen bases).
Thomas Dillard
Catcher
Oxford
An Ole Miss signee, Dillard transferred from Briarcrest Christian in Memphis to Oxford before his senior season. He’s a top MLB Draft prospect because of his offensive prowess — a switch-hitter, Dillard already has power behind his swing and should continue to progress with that. An Under Armour All-American, Dillard is also an excellent defensive player.
Houston Roth
Pitcher
Oxford
Roth was first-team All-State as a junior, finishing with a 9-1 record in 12 appearances (10 starts, seven complete games). Roth had a 1.26 ERA, striking out 95 and walking 17 in 61 innings pitched. He also hit .297 with 10 doubles and 23 RBI. Roth has signed to play his college baseball at Ole Miss.
Denver McQuary
Pitcher/shortstop
Houston
A sensational athlete (he was first-team All-State in football and has the state interceptions record), McQuary will go to Mississippi State to play baseball. He hit .405 as a junior with 14 doubles, four triples and 39 stolen bases (in as many attempts). He was also an effective pitcher with a 2.72 ERA and 41 strikeouts.
Will Brooks
Shortstop
Madison Central
Brooks has come onto the baseball scene fairly recently, but his athleticism — especially his speed — made Mississippi State take quick notice of the athlete. Brooks will be a Bulldog next year after hitting more than .400 as a junior.
Jacob Wilcher
Outfielder
Kossuth
Wilcher just destroys pitching, so much so that Ole Miss signed the outfielder. He hit .451 as a junior with eight doubles, five home runs, 33 RBI with a staggering .756 slugging and 1.301 OPS. Wilcher also stole 11 bases for the Aggies.
A.J. Brown
Outfielder
Starkville
The first baseball and football Dandy Dozen selection since Petal’s Anthony Alford during the 2011-12 season, Brown played in the Under Armour All-American Game this summer. That served as a sign the Ole Miss football signee (he’s expected to also play baseball for the Rebels) could also be a MLB Draft pick.