Former Michigan State player ranked as top 10 Pirates prospect

Former Michigan State baseball star Mitch Jebb has been making a name for himself, recently being named a top-10 Pirates prospect.

Former Michigan State baseball infielder Mitch Jebb was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft, making him the second-highest Spartan selection since Mark Mulder went No. 2 overall.

After this draft, the Pirates’ prospects were ranked and Jebb was the No. 7 prospect in the organization. With this ranking, he is one of the highest-ranked prospects for Michigan State for any team in the MLB currently. Not only is this a good sign for the Spartans’ program but it is a good sign for Jebb.

What may they have seen in Mitch? Hitting and getting on base.

When you’re looking at a player, especially an infielder, you want to see what kind of arm he has and how often he can get on base. With the way that baseball is going, some teams are going to target more players who can find a way to get on base, not just power, and that is exactly the type of player that Jebb is. He is projected to have decent power, maybe 12-15 homers annually, but his calling card is his OPS (on base plus slugging) and on-base percentages.

During his sophomore year, he finished second in average, runs, hits, and steals in the Cape Cod League. He also finished second in OPS and average as well. This is what the Pirates saw, a player that can get on base and one that can be dangerous running the bags as well. Jebb can not only run but he also has a decent arm that should let him play second, maybe shortstop in the organization. He is going to be able to use his ability to hit and get on base to continue to rise through the Pirates organization but he is not the only top 30 prospect that has ties to Michigan State.

Former Michigan State commit Jase Bowen is ranked in the top 30.

Bowen, a former football commit under Mark Dantonio, is a right-handed outfielder who has worked his way up in the organization as well. After a great year in 2023, Bowen is getting the opportunity to play in Double-A. Jase is a very athletic and powerful right-handed hitter who last year hit 20 homers. He not only has power, but he also has the ability to steal, much like Jebb. Bowen should be able to stick in the outfield with his speed and power. If he can continue to cut down on his swing and misses and continue to develop that power, Bowen is going to be another player who has connections to Michigan State that could rise in his organization.

Both Bowen and Jebb have the ability to make an impact in the Pirates’ organization. Bowen has had a longer path but he is slowly rising through the ranks. Jebb is just starting his journey but being ranked in the top 10 is a great start. No one is guaranteed to make it to the MLB but having two former players that have ties to Michigan State, one that has played at the school and one that was a former commit, is pretty cool especially because they are in the same organization and they both do what teams are looking for.