How Mississippi State baseball’s Brad Cumbest became 2022 MLB Draft prospect

STARKVILLE — From taking part in in soccer coach Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, Mississippi State’s Brad Cumbest doubtless heard the significance of repetition.

Again and again.

Reps are essentially the most vital part to Leach’s system. It’s why his offense improved in his second yr, and it’s doubtless why Cumbest’s has discovered athletic success — away from soccer.

Cumbest got here to Mississippi State as a two-sport athlete, with baseball complementing soccer. His 6-foot-5, 240-pound body made it evident why MSU and Ole Miss needed him taking part in soccer.

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However when he arrived to Starkville, he wasn’t reaching his potential in both. In three soccer seasons, the receiver caught 5 passes for 49 yards and a landing. Taking part in baseball in that span, he hit .280 with seven dwelling runs, 33 RBIs and 55 strikeouts in 193 at-bats.

So, he adopted Leach’s recommendation. He determined to extend his reps by stepping away from soccer.

Cumbest turned his full consideration to baseball and developed right into a profitable prospect for the 2022 MLB Draft.

“He has made an enormous bounce,” first baseman Luke Hancock stated. “For him, it was simply at-bats. He actually didn’t get to ever have a fall with us. Even this previous fall (2021), I believe he was harm. Getting right here within the spring, he simply took off for us. He was one in every of our greatest gamers all yr.”

Cumbest confirmed flashes in Mississippi State’s nationwide championship run a yr in the past. He hit .306 in 121 at-bats, however his incapacity to regulate to off-speed pitches stored him from garnering MLB consideration.

This season he hit .302 with 15 dwelling runs and 39 RBIs. He struck out 46 occasions in 202 at-bats. 

Cumbest realized to not solely lay off the off-speed pitches however how one can drive them as properly. In an April 15 win towards Auburn, Cumbest hit one in every of his signature line drive dwelling runs out to left middle.

The three-run blast got here on a 2-1 hanging slider on the skin a part of the zone.

“I’m attempting to put off from swinging at them within the filth,” Cumbest joked postgame.

Cumbest has the upside to go within the first 5 rounds of the draft in July, in response to MLB.com. His measurement attracts comparisons to slugger Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees.

A fifth-round choice places Cumbest within the vary of a $300-400,000 signing bonus. Cumbest is a senior who graduated, however he has a yr of eligibility remaining because of the additional COVID-19 yr.

Nevertheless, his return appears unlikely which implies his MSU profession, regardless of an electrifying remaining season, ended on a somber word.

Cumbest took half in senior day festivities previous to the season finale towards Tennessee, which coach Chris Lemonis stated  was his remaining sport at Dudy Noble Discipline.

On a brief flyball to left, Cumbest collided with shortstop Lane Forsythe. Cumbest hit his jaw on the highest of Forsythe’s head, forcing the outfielder out of the sport earlier than an at-bat.

“It was powerful as a result of I understand how a lot he cares about this college and this workforce,” Hancock stated.  

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat author for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or comply with him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.