Elite 2026 RHP Wilson Andersen discusses commitment to Mississippi State
Wilson Andersen never forgot how Mississippi State made him feel several years ago.
After Chris Lemonis and his staff began recruiting him in the eighth grade, NCAA rule changes came into effect that would prevent coaches from contacting and offering recruits until their junior season. When midnight hit on day one of permitted contact, Andersen got a text from pitching coach Justin Parker almost immediately.
“I got to start talking to coach Parker and loved him,” Andersen said. “I went on a visit and the coaches, atmosphere and fans made it really feel like home. It really was an amazing visit that made me fall in love with the place.”
Justin Parker, visit to Starkville locks in Andersen
That visit a couple of weeks ago was Andersen’s second trip to Starkville as he had first visited back during eighth grade for a camp. His most recent trip was a whole lot different.
Andersen got a chance to see everything that Dudy Noble Field and the Diamond Dawg baseball program had to offer. He and his family also got a chance to reconnect with senior pitcher Karson Ligon whose mother and Andersen’s were in college together.
“My perspective had obviously changed,” Andersen said of his second trip to Starkville. “I spent a lot of time with the coaches individually and I saw just how competitive all of them were. I got a chance to hang out with Karson Ligon, Charlie Foster and Duke Stone to see how life was there. It was a perfect trip.”
State coaches had been tracking and recruiting Andersen beyond that eighth grade season before the rule change and he got an even bigger connection over the summer.
When Andersen went to North Carolina this summer for Team USA trials, Parker was one of the coaches working with the pitchers. It was there where he got an opportunity to see up close and personal the abilities that the State pitching coach possessed, but he had already been doing his homework as well.
“I love SEC baseball. Obviously, they got a new pitching coach in coach Parker and we really clicked,” Andersen said. “It was awesome what he did last year. It was pretty much the best pitching staff in the SEC, and he wouldn’t take credit for it, but he was a huge part of that. He’s just a great dude that has a plan for me.”
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Andersen knows what he’s getting in MSU, but what will the Diamond Dawgs be getting in this talented pitcher?
The Tampa native pitches for Jesuit and has been making some noise in high school ball for the last couple of seasons. As a freshman and sophomore, Andersen surrendered just 24 earned runs in 59.0 innings with a 2.85 ERA in 27 appearances. He struck out 86 batters and walked 28 during those opening two seasons.
As good as he’s already been, however, Andersen isn’t anywhere close to his max potential. The 6’4, 190-pound athlete is throwing a fastball that sits somewhere from 92-94 and he topped out at 96 this summer. Andersen also throws a changeup at 85 mph and a curveball at 80 mph while working on a sinker.
Andersen is a top 15 player in the early stages of the 2026 class and his talent on the mound is evident. Where he excels the most though is his mentality.
“I’m really competitive. I’ll do whatever I can to win,” Andersen said. “No one will work harder or be a better teammate or better person. I’m going to bring all I’ve got and do whatever I can for Mississippi State. I’m really excited to find my home.”
