Hunter Hines set to return to Mississippi State in 2024
Mississippi State slugging first baseman Hunter Hines is back for one more run.
The Madison native finished off his third year in Starkville this year but went undrafted in the 2024 MLB Draft. On Tuesday, MSU announced that Hines would play one final season with the Bulldogs in 2024 and give State a middle-of-the-order bat back in place.
During his Diamond Dawg career, Hines has played in 171 games and batted .283 with 187 hits, 54 home runs, 34 doubles and a triple and had 169 RBI. He slugged .582 and his home run total is fourth most in Bulldog history.
After two solid seasons, this year had some disappointing moments for Hines as he went through some tough stretches. He batted .297 or better in each of his first two years with a SLG% over .600, but this season’s totals were .257 and a .486 SLG%.
Hines did have 16 home runs and 56 RBI as he had some big homers in a stretch of SEC games. He also set a career-high with 74 strikeouts which was second behind teammate Dakota Jordan for a single-season.
Still, Hines has already left his mark in Starkville as one of the great home run hitters in Bulldog history and can finish it as the best. Rafael Palmeiro’s record of 67 is in jeopardy with Hines having hit 16 or more home runs in each of his three years.
Hines coming back is one of the things that has been a plus for the Bulldogs since the MLB Draft. State is also bringing back LHP Pico Kohn despite being draft eligible. The Bulldogs are also waiting on decisions from SS David Mershon and Kentucky transfer RHP Travis Smith who were drafted on the third day of the draft.
