🚨 BIG MACHINE: Jack Bauer — the 102 MPH Flame‑Thrower — Flips from Virginia to Mississippi State
STARKVILLE, Miss. — The college baseball world just got a jolt: Jack Bauer, the rare left-handed high school fireballer who has touched 102–103 mph, has dramatically flipped his commitment from Virginia to Mississippi State — a seismic win for head coach Brian O’Connor and the Bulldogs.
It’s not just any recruit. Bauer is one of the most coveted pitching talents in the nation, ranked #17 overall in the transfer portal and projected as a first–second round MLB Draft pick . The 6′3″ prep pitcher from Lincoln-Way East, Illinois, reached 102 mph this spring, and by June topped out at 103 mph—making him the hardest-throwing high school pitcher on record .
Originally pledged to Virginia under O’Connor, Bauer reopened his recruitment when O’Connor moved to Starkville. His official visit last week left little doubt: Starkville won his heart, and he’s now committed to bringing his elite arsenal to Mississippi State .
Off the mound, Bauer mixes his triple-digit heater with a sharp slider and mid-80s changeup—making him a multi-dimensional threat as the prep season wraps and draft buzz intensifies .
MSU head coach Brian O’Connor had this to say during Bauer’s announcement:
> “It’s about choosing a path that prepares young men—on and off the field. Jack’s here to build and grow, and we’re thrilled he chose Mississippi State.”
Of course, the MLB Draft looms in July—Bauer’s blazing speed could lure a pro contract. But for now, Mississippi State is celebrating a commitment that instantly becomes one of the boldest in program history.
Bottom line: If Bauer joins MSU in the fall, the Bulldogs will boast one of the nation’s most electrifying arms, with the upside to dominate in the SEC and beyond.
