WATCH: With Rivas down, Quinn gets the ball first for Ole Miss baseball in 2024
Ole Miss baseball unofficially kicked off the 2024 season on Friday with its annual Media Day.
Let the games begin.
Head coach Mike Bianco spoke for over 40 minutes about this year’s iteration of the Rebels, who open with a four-game set at Hawaii next weekend. The Rebels will be without a projected member of its rotation for the entirety of the season. Veteran left-hander Xavier Rivas, as previously reported by the Spirit, injured his pitching elbow during preseason practices and will undergo Tommy John surgery.
Without Rivas, Ole Miss is turning to second-year righty JT Quinn as its Friday night and Opening Day starter on February 16. Gunnar Dennis and Grayson Saunier, in that order, will follow for the Saturday doubleheader. Riley Maddox gets his turn Sunday in the series finale.
Bianco also announced his starting lineup, which will feature at least five newcomers.
Among them is freshman and Oxford native Campbell Smithwick. Smithwick was the highest-rated 2023 signee to make it to campus. He’s replacing All-American Hayden Dunhurst at catcher.
But the Rebels aren’t young. Actually, they’ll have transfers at third base (Andrew Fisher, Duke), shortstop (Luke Hill, Arizona State) and first base (Jackson Ross, FAU), as well as in right field (Treyson Hughes, Mercer).
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Reagan Burford, the team’s captain, is penciled in at second. Ethan Groff, one of the few returning players from last season, is in center. Left field and DH are currently TBD.
“What a difference a year makes,” Bianco said. “A year ago I stood in front of you as the leader of the defending National Champions. A little different this year. I don’t think it’s a surprise to us how razor thin being good or not being so good in our league is. There’s such a fine line.
“As painful as (last season) was, and as excruciating as it was … last year will help these guys. Twenty-three new faces; that’s a lot on a 40-man roster. A lot of talented, new faces. When you watch us play, and as you can imagine with the transfer portal, we don’t feel particularly young. We’ve got guys that have done it at this level. It’s exciting.”
