2026 California baseball prospect Dax Hardcastle's visit to Starkville leads to State commitment
Taking the flight from California to Starkville, Miss., recently, Dax Hardcastle wasn’t sure what to expect.
Mississippi State coach Chris Lemonis and his staff made an impression on the talented 2026 prospect and convinced him a visit was worth the trip. It was quickly after stepping foot on campus that Hardcastle wholeheartedly agreed.
“I don’t know what my expectations were, but it was a place that really cared about baseball. They want to see the players succeed,” Hardcastle said. “Seeing the facilities, it really plays into the development part. I loved the Palmeiro Center and the pitching lab and the weightroom were amazing.
“I think the interest that they had showed in me and the coaching staff really set them apart. Their facilities are also the best in the nation and that stood out.”
On Monday, Hardcastle had come to the conclusion that Starkville would be home. The versatile California athlete took visits to Oregon and Vanderbilt but MSU stood head and shoulders above those schools.
Many other schools came in and offered Hardcastle but none of them gave him what State could.
“Looking at it, I really wanted to be at a place where I’ll have the ability to play both ways. I wanted to be in an environment where I can go to work every day and go win a College World Series. Mississippi State checked those boxes,” Hardcastle said. “I knew that they had won the College World Series in 2021 and they were a successful program and I knew they had a great coaching staff.”
Bulldog coaches set the tone early in Hardcastle’s recruitment
The coaches were the first to make the impression.
When the contact period began on August 1, State hit Hardcastle’s phone line first. A quick bond was built and Hardcastle knew that State would be in the mix before he even set up a visit.
“I talked to Kyle Cheesebrough and Chris Lemonis and they were really great people and easy to talk to,” Hardcastle said. “You’re going to be with those guys every day and you want to be around guys that you get along with.”
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The question for Hardcastle now is where he will impact the Bulldogs the most. He’s quickly becoming one of California’s top prospects in the 2026 class and his options are aplenty in Starkville.
As a hitter, Hardcastle averaged .335 as a freshman and sophomore. He had 62 hits, 16 doubles, three home runs, a triple and 45 RBI. He can play first base or third base on the next level and the Diamond Dawgs will give him every chance to do it.
But Hardcastle also has some intriguing upside on the mound. The 6’4, 225-pounder is still growing and is already sitting anywhere from 89-91 mph from the right side topping out at 94. His changeup is his best offspeed pitch with a slider to go along with it.
Wherever he plays on a given day, Hardcastle will be in there to help State win ball games.
“I want to go in there and earn everything that I can. We briefly talked about my role and I’m sure that we’ll talk about that more when it gets close to being on campus,” Hardcastle said. “I think I’m a guy that can compete and help the team win. I’ll be able to go get outs on the mound. Hitting wise, I bring a power bat and I’m a solid defender on the corners.”
Hardcastle is part of a 2026 class that is becoming one of the best in the country. After a few decommitments, State nearly reset its class with the only holdover from the last year being LHP Quincy Bright. Since the open contact period began in August, the Diamond Dawgs have landed seven players from across the country.
