Even though head baseball coach John Cohen fills out a lineup card every gameday that is heavy on freshmen and junior college transfers, he knows he has a reliable senior at first base.
Connor Powers decided to return to MSU for his final season after being drafted in the 11th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and after starting all 28 games this spring, he has a batting average of .382 and has belted nine homeruns.
Cohen said Powers has improved every aspect of his game since deciding to return to Starkville.
“Every part of his game is better,” Cohen said. “He’s a better defender, a better runner, has better strike zone discipline, he handles the breaking ball much better and he’s in better condition.”
Powers was also named SEC Player of the Week after a three-run, 15-RBI weekend in the BankFirst Baseball Challenge in February.
For Powers, his decision to stay in school was not only based on improving his draft stock, but also finishing his degree in economics.
“It just came to a point where my expectations weren’t met and I was ready to come back, further my education, come back to school and play for Mississippi State,” Powers said.
His decision to come back has also given him the chance to chase career numbers in the MSU record books.
His 47 homeruns have him tied with Tracy Echols for fifth on the all-time homerun list at MSU. He also has compiled 177 RBIs in his four years at MSU, which is the 10th most in school history.
When Powers was making his decision to stay in school or go pro, Cohen recommended that he come back for another season because it would be better to improve areas of his game in college than have to fix them at the pro level.
Powers said his coach’s advice proved to be wise.
“He basically said it would be better for me to do it here where I can get some classes under my belt instead of in pro ball, and I think he was completely right about that,” Powers said.
While Powers will benefit from his decision to stay at MSU, it is the younger guys on the team who may gain the most from his return.
In the locker room, he is a respected veteran with an intimidating presence, but he is also willing to help the younger players on the team with their game.
Senior Russ Sneed, who has been Powers’ roommate on road trips in their time on the team together, said Powers easily gains everyone’s attention when he speaks.
“He can kinda put the fear factor in some of the freshman guys, which helps with competition,” Sneed said. “Connor is usually not as vocal, but when he is vocal, they know that he means business.”
Powers said that the older players like himself and Sneed try to teach the younger players how to balance life as a student-athlete in the SEC.
“We gotta show the younger guys the way to go about your business every day playing college baseball,” Powers said. “I think we’re doing a good job of that, as far as in the locker room and off-the-field stuff, but we have to start winning a little bit more.”
Powers has also been able to play more relaxed in his senior season, which has led to another year of consistent production both in the batter’s box and at first base.
With fewer scouts in attendance this year, Sneed said Powers has had a lot of pressure lifted from his shoulders.
“Last year, he had an experience where there was definitely an expectation, not just from the fan base, but from every scout in attendance, and whoever he had advising him,” Sneed said.
Sneed said it is a relief for Powers.
“There was a lot on the line. This year, he definitely has zero pressure compared to last year. Now he doesn’t really have to worry about the money and how high he’s being drafted.”
Cohen, who has seen many players struggle with the decision to stay for their senior year or go pro in his 11 seasons as a head coach, said those who stay in school improve their draft status “almost 100 percent of the time.”
While it is unclear exactly where Powers’ professional career will begin, one thing is certain about his time in Starkville: He has made a lasting mark on Mississippi State baseball.