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Mississippi State

RHP Davion Hickson taken in the fifth round of the MLB Draft

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk07/14/25RobbieFaulkOn3
davion hickson
Photo by Mississippi State Athletics

 Davion Hickson spent a weekend in Starkville visiting Mississippi State earlier this month and left committed.

But that trip to Starkville might be the only one that Hickson makes as he appears to be on his way to start a career.

Hickson was drafted in Monday’s MLB Draft as a fifth round selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers. That will essentially end the chances of the talented pitcher coming to school and playing for the Bulldogs.

The Rice transfer is an extremely high upside pitcher that pitching coach Justin Parker was excited to help mold. Hickson has a fastball touching 97 mph with a slider and a changeup. The changeup has been one of his best pitches for strikeouts as he’s logged a 50% whiff rate on it.

A former Florida State player, Hickson started with the Seminoles in 2023 and pitched an inning. He ultimately would transfer to Rice and put together a strong two seasons with the Owls.

As a sophomore, Hickson was the closer for Rice as he pitched 27 times and recorded a 3.62 ERA in 54.2 innings with six saves. Hickson walked 33 batters and struck out 64 in 2024.

This year, Hickson became the Owl Ace and would work himself into Second-Team All-AAC honors as he had a 3.82 ERA with 35 walks in 73.0 innings and he had 90 strikeouts. MSU saw the talented pitcher in a matchup between the two teams in Houston. Hickson went 4.2 innings with four hits, four runs, three walks and six strikeouts.

He threw at least 7.1 innings in the final four starts of the year and surrendered four runs or less in every start. His best appearances came in a win over Charlotte in which he threw a complete-game shutout with just one hit and three walks surrendered while striking out 10 batters.

Hickson is a native of Florida and played ball for IMG Academy where he was a top 250 prospect nationally. He finished his senior year of high school with a 1.60 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 30.2 innings.

This is the first transfer portal addition that the Bulldogs have lost in the draft on Monday. State has also lost high school signees Landon Harmon and JoJo Parker and ace pitcher Pico Kohn.

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