MLB DRAFT: After injury-plagued 2025 season at Mississippi State, Chase Hungate (Abingdon) hoping to hear name called

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Mississippi State pitcher Chase Hungate (Abingdon) throws against the Texas Longhorns on March 14.

Tim Hayes

Chase Hungate threw his final pitch as a college baseball player on April 19 for the Mississippi State Bulldogs as he felt some shoulder discomfort after unleashing an offering against the Florida Gators.

Forced to leave the game, the news turned out not to be good a few days later.

"I found out that I tore my labrum along with some inflammation and tendonitis in my rotator cuff when I got back home and got a second opinion," Hungate said. "So ever since then I've been rehabbing and getting better."

The Abingdon High School graduate has healed up and could possibly be selected in the two-day, 20-round Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, which gets underway on Sunday evening in Atlanta.

"I am hoping to continue playing and hoping to get a shot professionally," Hungate said.

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Mark Francisco, Hungate's coach at Abingdon, feels his former ace deserves a chance to pitch in the pros.

"From his arm angle, he runs it above 90 [miles-per-hour] and he knows how to pitch," Francisco said. "There are relievers in the majors right now that have similar stuff, so I'd be surprised if someone doesn't draft him. The teams are aware his injury was minor and just required some rest. ... If he doesn't go in the draft, I'm confident one of the 30 teams will sign him. All they need to do is look at his track record of success."

Speaking of which, Hungate was 2-1 with two saves and a 2.82 ERA in 14 appearances prior to the injury.

He allowed just 17 hits in 22 1/3 innings with 17 strikeouts and four walks for the Bulldogs. Opponents hit just .218 against him.

He tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings in a win over South Carolina and had saves against Missouri State and Rice.

A midseason coaching change helped Mississippi State rebound from a poor start to reach the NCAA tournament.

Hungate made some memories in his lone season in Starkville while competing in the Southeastern Conference.

"I loved it there," Hungate said. "The fanbase and the culture was something I wish everyone could experience. The season had many ups and downs like any other. We had tons of struggles with our defense early on and some small things that resulted in us struggling immensely in the conference. We started to figure some things out in the latter half of the season, and we went on a great run."

Hungate was hoping to contribute to that late-season surge.

"I tried to throw the second day after it had happened, and many other times throughout the rest of the season trying to get back out there," Hungate said.

It has been an interesting journey for the right-hander.

He began his collegiate career at Virginia Commonwealth University before transferring to the University of Virginia, where he played two seasons and pitched in the 2024 College World Series for the Cavaliers.

Along with his season at Mississippi State, he had summer ball stints with the Appalachian League's Bristol State Liners and with the Orleans Firebirds of the prestigious Cape Cod League.

"Playing at three different schools all at different levels has shown me and taught me so many things about the game and how amazing the game can be," Hungate said.

The 22-year-old Hungate has always been at home on the mound.

He started on two state runner-up teams during his four seasons at Abingdon and had a career record of 13-3 on the mound with the Falcons.

The dude has produced some highlights in high-leverage situations.

"I think my biggest asset on the mound is my ability to stay calm in bigger situations," Hungate said.

Hungate will find out soon if he gets to stand on the mound as a professional.

"The thing that sticks out the most is that he has always had success at every level," Francisco said. "Plus, he has had elite control. Over 160 innings pitched [as a Division I hurler] and only walked around 30 guys with a career ERA in the 3s facing elite competition. He's been on the biggest stage in college and his ERA at Mississippi State was in the 2s. He has a unique skillset and an arm slot that I think makes him very marketable."

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