2026 catcher Hunter Strohm making switch to Diamond Dawgs

When Hunter Strohm got the word Brian O’Connor and his staff were leaving Virginia to go to Mississippi State, a large part of him wanted to follow.

It didn’t take long before O’Connor’s Recruiting Coordinator Matt Kirby gave Strohm a call and told him they wanted him to come join them. Within minutes, Strohm and his family were all on the same page that Starkville was going to be the new home.

“I told my parents that this is what I wanted to do,” Strohm said. “The next day (Kirby) text me when I was in class and was asking me if I was in. It was a 45 second conversation and we were both on the same page. I think I had it down in my head from the start that’s where I wanted to be.”

Since January of 2023, Strohm has been committed to the Cavaliers. One of the state of Pennsylvania’s top players in the class of 2026, Strohm was identified by Kirby, Kevin McMullan and O’Connor during his freshman year and they knew they wanted him to continue to be a part of what they were building.

Strohm’s work behind the plate at catcher  and swinging the bat is impressive enough, but his mindset is what really stood out to O’Connor and the staff.

“I show up to the baseball field and you can expect me to give 110% every day. I’m a hard-nosed gritty kid and that plays into my game,” Strohm said. “Whether it’s high school, travel ball or hitting with my dad, I want to make them proud. I want to make my parents, my town and my high school proud. I can swipe a couple of bags or throw some guys out, but I’ll always been on the top step cheering on my teammates whether I’m having a good day or not.”

Strohm ready to feel at home in Starkville

That attitude is a good enough reason for the fit in Starkville, but Strohm will feel at home in other ways, too.

Strohm’s uncle played his college ball at Jacksonville University and he’s been to Starkville and Dudy Noble Field. He filled in his nephew about what to expect and the talented catcher was reassured.

“I just like to go hunting and fishing and that’s where I spend most of my time,” Strohm said.  “I’m hoping I can get down there and go duck hunting if I get some free time, but I can already tell that it’s going to feel like home.

“It’s a super small town and everybody looks after each other. I’m excited to go from one small town to another and I’ll feel right at home right away. I’ve always enjoyed the southern population because everybody is so friendly.”

The Lower Dauphin High School standout has never visited Mississippi but that will change soon. He plans to come down later this month after his travel ball team takes part in the World Wood Bat Classic in Atlanta.

After watching O’Connor’s introduction to MSU fans last week at DNF and spending more time researching the school, he feels more than confident in his decision and is excited to be a Bulldog.

“I’ve obviously watched Mississippi State for a while now and the run to the national title in 2021 was crazy. It was a school that I always admired. I love coach O’Connor, Coach McMullan and coach Kriby and I can’t wait to play for them. They care about me more as a man than as a baseball player and the things that they believe in match up with my parents’ point of views. Coach Mac and coach Kirby produce some big time guys every year so all of that lines up.

“I did all of my research online. I went and watched games and took a virtual tour of the school online. I’m really impressed with the things that I’ve seen. I saw a facilities tour and it was crazy what they have. I don’t think there are many places like that in the country. The support that Mississippi State has for the baseball program is absurd and that’s definitely something I want to be a part of.”

Strohm is the first former Virginia commitment to make the switch to State but there are more possibilities coming in the next few days and weeks. O’Connor has already pulled in four former Cavalier players out of the transfer portal with freshmen Tomas Valinicus, James Nunnallee and Chone James making the move last week and sophomore Aidan Teel following a couple of days later.