State signee Lukas Buckner enjoys storybook career with Farragut baseball

Before Lukas Buckner even steps to the plate in the SEC, his baseball story has been one for the books.

Buckner just finished off an amazing career with one of the best baseball programs in the country at Farragut in Knoxville, Tenn. The talented short stop got a chance to win three-straight state championships during his four-year career, play with two future Mississippi State teammates in RHP Cade O’leary and OF Landis Davila and he played for his dad, Matthew.

After the Admirals finished off an amazing season with a three-peat in the state championship, Matthew took a bow and retired from coaching. The head man had won seven state championships and had a chance to see his son through to the collegiate level. For Lukas, it was a season that couldn’t have been any better than it was.

“It was definitely special with this group and playing for my dad,” Buckner said. “We really started clicking and coming together as a team at the end. My last game, I broke the school hits record in the state championship game. So it was a really fun year.”

One of the fun parts of the season was Buckner getting a chance to build stronger bonds with O’Leary and Davila before they come to Starkville for the next stage.

O’Leary was a transfer from Pittsburgh, but Davaila and Buckner were already locked in together. After a year of all three working hard together as a unit, it will do nothing but help the chemistry on next year’s squad at State.

“I think it makes that transition even easier and we already have that brotherhood. It’s going to be big to continue that culture and making it all about the team,” Buckner said. “I think that we have a lot of different guys that have a range of skill sets and that’s exciting to bring that mixture in. A lot of us will be able to compete for jobs and to help the team. I don’t think anyone has reached their max potential.”

Bulldogs got Buckner on board without visit

Buckner committed to the Bulldogs last June without even seeing Dudy Noble Field or all that Chris Lemonis had to offer. A former Central Florida commitment, Buckner would pick State over teams like Vanderbilt, North Carolina, Auburn, Ole Miss and Duke.

His official visit last fall reminded him that he made the right decision.

“I haven’t been able to go to a baseball game yet, but I loved everything about it,” Buckner said. “It’s probably cliché, but the fans there are unreal. The support the fanbase gives is unbelievable. Everywhere that we went if they saw us and the coaches they cheered us on and told us how happy they were that we were there. It’s an incredible place.”

Buckner was a strong defender during his time at Farragut, but his hitting set him apart.

In four seasons, Buckner racked up a total of 246 hits and he broke the program’s all-time hits record for a career. The four players that have accomplished even 200 hits were a Who’s Who at the school as Buckner joined former MLB player Nick Delmonico, Georgia’s Curt Powell and Vanderbilt and South Carolina hitter Parker Noland.

He doesn’t know where Lemonis and the staff will put him next season, but Buckner believes he can play several different positions. He also believes he’ll be able to transition well to the college level at the plate.

“We haven’t really had a conversation about where I might end up but the coaches think that I can play short stop, second base, third or in the outfield. Really they’ll put me anywhere if I can hit,” Buckner said. “During my career when we face high velocity, I feel confident. The velo isn’t going to be a hard adjustment for me. My dad always prepared me for that, but I’m going to keep working harder.

Buckner and his freshman classmates will be on campus on July 5 for the start of a new journey.

It’s a journey that Buckner has been preparing his whole life to begin and he’s ready to see where it takes him. After spending the year fully investing in being a Bulldog, Buckner is ready to see if he and his teammates can take the squad a step further.

“It was fun being a fan of them this year. They were a really exciting team to watch, and they fell short against a great Virginia team,” Buckner said. “I just want to let them know that I will truly give it my all and that I appreciate them giving me the opportunity. I’m pumped and excited to get there.”