The University of Mississippi Athletics
Breaking Down Ole Miss Baseball’s Projected Opening Day Starting Lineup
2/12/2024 | Baseball
OXFORD, Miss. – Head coach Mike Bianco meet with the media Friday to preview the upcoming 2024 season for Ole Miss baseball.
The Rebel head coach gave a preview of the starting lineup, which will be in flux as Ole Miss welcomes the No. 7 transfer class in the nation to its ranks.
Ole Miss opens the 2024 campaign on the road with a four-game series at Hawaii, starting Friday at 10:30 p.m. CT. The Rebels open their home schedule with a Wednesday midweek against Arkansas State. The first weekend series against High Point starts Friday at 4 p.m. CT.
Season tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now at OleMissTix.com. Act fast to secure your ticket to college baseball's best atmosphere at Swayze Field.
Read on to see what the lineup will look like opening day. As Bianco cautioned, this 2024 lineup could see more shifting around than ever before.
Catcher – Campbell Smithwick
Named the No. 18 incoming freshman in the nation by Perfect Game, Campbell Smithwick is expected to step into the growing line of star catchers at Ole Miss, following the likes of Calvin Harris, Hayden Dunhurst and many more. He had a strong showing in the fall, finishing fifth on the team with a .375 batting average in the fall and tied for third with five home runs.
First Base – Jackson Ross
With Anthony Calarco departed to the professional ranks, Ole Miss needed a power-hitting infielder, and Jackson Ross appears to be just that for the Rebels. He led Ole Miss with seven home runs and 24 RBI this fall. Ross was first-team All-Conference USA for Florida Atlantic last year.
Second Base – Reagan Burford
Slotted at second base on opening day, Reagan Burford will be one of the more recognizable faces for Rebel fans on Day 1. The senior out of Germantown, Tennessee, has appeared in 70 games and made 44 starts over his Ole Miss career, more appearances in a Rebel uniform than anyone else on the roster. Ethan Lege, along with freshman Brayden Randle, will figure into the mix at second.
Third Base – Andrew Fischer
Ole Miss didn't just add power at the first base position, the Rebels also added a dynamic bat at third. Andrew Fischer finished second behind Jackson Ross with six home runs this fall and will look to play a key role in the lineup this spring. Fischer was a Freshman All-American for Duke last season, hitting .289 with 27 extra-base hits in 47 games. Judd Utermark and Lege could see time at the hot corner as well.
Shortstop – Luke Hill
Ole Miss saw yet another starting shortstop taken early in the MLB Draft, this time bidding adieu to first-round pick Jacob Gonzalez. The Rebels will fill the spot with another key transfer in Luke Hill, a Baton Rouge native who spent his first year at Arizona State. Hill led Ole Miss with an even .400 average this fall and struck out just three times in 64 plate appearances. Randle could see time at short as well.
Left Field – TBD
The left field spot will be up for grabs to start the 2024 season, and it'll provide a number of players the opportunity to prove they're one of the best nine bats on the Rebel roster. Bianco mentioned John Kramer, Lege, Utermark and Ross as potential left fielders. It'll also provide Bianco an opportunity to play the matchup game with the opposing starting pitchers.
Center Field – Ethan Groff
Ethan Groff started all but one game in center field last season, and he'll be back patrolling the middle of the Rebel outfield to start 2024. Groff hit .272 with 42 RBI and 12 doubles a season ago after transferring from Tulane. The senior led Ole Miss with 16 stolen bases a year ago and will once again be a key contributor for the Rebels offensively and defensively.
Right Field – Treyson Hughes
The top-rated transfer prospect in the Rebels' incoming class, Treyson Hughes is expected to hold down right field to start things off in 2024. Hughes finished strong this fall, hitting .302 with 10 RBI. He was a First Team All-Southern Conference selection last year for Mercer before joining the Rebels in the offseason.
Designated Hitter – TBD
Similar to left field, designated hitter will be a committee approach throughout the season. Kramer, Lege, Utermark and more will rotate through the spot.
The Rebel head coach gave a preview of the starting lineup, which will be in flux as Ole Miss welcomes the No. 7 transfer class in the nation to its ranks.
Ole Miss opens the 2024 campaign on the road with a four-game series at Hawaii, starting Friday at 10:30 p.m. CT. The Rebels open their home schedule with a Wednesday midweek against Arkansas State. The first weekend series against High Point starts Friday at 4 p.m. CT.
Season tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now at OleMissTix.com. Act fast to secure your ticket to college baseball's best atmosphere at Swayze Field.
Read on to see what the lineup will look like opening day. As Bianco cautioned, this 2024 lineup could see more shifting around than ever before.
Catcher – Campbell Smithwick
Named the No. 18 incoming freshman in the nation by Perfect Game, Campbell Smithwick is expected to step into the growing line of star catchers at Ole Miss, following the likes of Calvin Harris, Hayden Dunhurst and many more. He had a strong showing in the fall, finishing fifth on the team with a .375 batting average in the fall and tied for third with five home runs.
First Base – Jackson Ross
With Anthony Calarco departed to the professional ranks, Ole Miss needed a power-hitting infielder, and Jackson Ross appears to be just that for the Rebels. He led Ole Miss with seven home runs and 24 RBI this fall. Ross was first-team All-Conference USA for Florida Atlantic last year.
Second Base – Reagan Burford
Slotted at second base on opening day, Reagan Burford will be one of the more recognizable faces for Rebel fans on Day 1. The senior out of Germantown, Tennessee, has appeared in 70 games and made 44 starts over his Ole Miss career, more appearances in a Rebel uniform than anyone else on the roster. Ethan Lege, along with freshman Brayden Randle, will figure into the mix at second.
Third Base – Andrew Fischer
Ole Miss didn't just add power at the first base position, the Rebels also added a dynamic bat at third. Andrew Fischer finished second behind Jackson Ross with six home runs this fall and will look to play a key role in the lineup this spring. Fischer was a Freshman All-American for Duke last season, hitting .289 with 27 extra-base hits in 47 games. Judd Utermark and Lege could see time at the hot corner as well.
Shortstop – Luke Hill
Ole Miss saw yet another starting shortstop taken early in the MLB Draft, this time bidding adieu to first-round pick Jacob Gonzalez. The Rebels will fill the spot with another key transfer in Luke Hill, a Baton Rouge native who spent his first year at Arizona State. Hill led Ole Miss with an even .400 average this fall and struck out just three times in 64 plate appearances. Randle could see time at short as well.
Left Field – TBD
The left field spot will be up for grabs to start the 2024 season, and it'll provide a number of players the opportunity to prove they're one of the best nine bats on the Rebel roster. Bianco mentioned John Kramer, Lege, Utermark and Ross as potential left fielders. It'll also provide Bianco an opportunity to play the matchup game with the opposing starting pitchers.
Center Field – Ethan Groff
Ethan Groff started all but one game in center field last season, and he'll be back patrolling the middle of the Rebel outfield to start 2024. Groff hit .272 with 42 RBI and 12 doubles a season ago after transferring from Tulane. The senior led Ole Miss with 16 stolen bases a year ago and will once again be a key contributor for the Rebels offensively and defensively.
Right Field – Treyson Hughes
The top-rated transfer prospect in the Rebels' incoming class, Treyson Hughes is expected to hold down right field to start things off in 2024. Hughes finished strong this fall, hitting .302 with 10 RBI. He was a First Team All-Southern Conference selection last year for Mercer before joining the Rebels in the offseason.
Designated Hitter – TBD
Similar to left field, designated hitter will be a committee approach throughout the season. Kramer, Lege, Utermark and more will rotate through the spot.
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