STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball’s Nate Chester stuck out against Virginia in the Charlottesville Regional, marking the end of the Bulldogs’ time in the NCAA Tournament.

As he walked back toward the dugout, he carried with him the start of a crucial offseason for coach Chris Lemonis.

The Bulldogs returned to the postseason this year for the first time since winning the national title in 2021. Mississippi State won 17 games in regular-season SEC play after combining to win 18 across the previous two seasons. However, unlike last year, Lemonis is expected to lose much of his core this offseason.

Outfielder Dakota Jordan, ambidextrous pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, right-hander Khal Stephen, right-hander Nate Dohm and first baseman Hunter Hines are among the top 200 prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft, according to MLB.com.

To fill those holes — along with voids left from players electing to transfer — the portal is going to be crucial for Mississippi State.

The transfer window opened June 3. Players have until July 2 to inform their school of their intention to enter the portal.

Keep up with the Bulldogs’ latest transfer movement here.

Players leaving Mississippi State baseball via transfer portalLHP Cole Cheatham

Cheatham entered the portal on June 5, according to multiple reports. Across three seasons at Mississippi State, he appeared in 28 games with one start. He has a 7.39 career

Forsythe entered the portal on June 5, according to multiple reports. In two years at MSU, he made 13 appearances and recorded a 10.80 ERA.

INF/OF/LHP Jackson McKenzie

McKenzie entered the portal on June 11, he announced via social media. He appeared in 11 games and hit .188 as a freshman in 2024

Norton entered the portal on June 13, he announced via social media. He did not play as a freshman this year.