Diamond Dawg freshman Jackson McKenzie entering transfer portal
After coming to Starkville with some promising potential, freshman outfielder Jackson McKenzie has decided to enter the transfer portal.
The Pace, Fla., native took to X to announce his intentions on Tuesday morning.
“After discussing with the coaches and my family, I have decided it is best for me to enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining,” McKenzie said. “I would like to thank Miss St for the opportunity and I am grateful for the relationships and memories I made this last year.”
During the season, McKenzie played sparingly as a first-year player and he started in three games while logging 11 games played. He batted .188 as a true freshman with three hits, one run and one RBI. He walked three times and struck out seven in 16 at bats.
McKenzie was often a pinch runner or a late-game substitution for the Bulldogs this season, but had high hopes coming out of high school.
A player that many felt could be taken in the 2023 MLB Draft, McKenzie turned down those dreams to come to college for a few years. He was ranked third in the state of Florida at first base and was No. 13 in the country after leading his team to its first state championship his junior season.
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McKenzie batted .344 during his final two seasons with 56 hits, 40 RBI and 11 home runs. He also was 7-0 on the mound with a 1.64 ERA.
According to a report by 247Sports, Bulldog redshirt freshman LHP Max Miller is also planning to enter the portal. A 6’1, 205-pound pitcher from Vancleave, Miller pitched in just one game during his two seasons. He redshirted as a freshman in 2023, but Miller faced one batter this season and walked him on four pitches against Evansville on March 10.
The two State transfers now make four players that are moving on from the team this season. Sophomore RHP Logan Forsythe and junior LHP Cole Cheatham each entered the portal last week.
State is hoping to add several players out of the transfer portal this offseason and have one on board already in North Alabama 3B Gehrig Frei.
