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Illinois slugger Vytas Valincius joining brother in transfer to Diamond Dawgs

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk06/06/25RobbieFaulkOn3

A couple of brothers are joining forces in Starkville with Mississippi State baseball.

Shortly after Virginia LHP Tomas Valincius announced that he would be playing for the Diamond Dawgs next season, older brother Vytas followed suit. The 6’4, 225-pound Vytas is joining Brian O’Connor’s squad next season after a standout season with the Illinois Fighting Illini last season.

A fifth-year senior, Vytas will play his final year in Starkville after earning second-team All-Big Ten honors last year with the Illini. The outfielder started 53 games for the team in left field and hit .348 with 71 hits, 14 doubles, seven home runs and 58 RBI. He slugged .520 and had 33 walks to just 28 strikeouts while stealing 11 bases.

This came a year after Vytas batted just .267 with 52 hits in 54 games and 12 home runs, 10 double and one triple. He had 51 strikeouts that season and drastically improved his plate discipline in one year.

Like Tomas, Vytas played his high school ball at Baylor School in Chattanooga as the two packed up their bags from their home in Lockport, Illinois. Valincius led his team to a state championship in 2021 after hitting eight home runs and batting .400. He was ranked as the No. 4 first baseman in the country by Perfect Game and the No. 6 player in the state of Tennessee.

Valincius initially signed with South Carolina out of high school but played in just five games as a freshman for the Gamecocks in 2022. Valincius transferred to John A. Logan Community College for a sophomore season and batted .403 with a .540 OBP and .639 SLG as he hit nine home runs and drove in 58 runs.

Tomas and Vytas join Virginia freshmen Chone James and James Nunnallee who have also made their decision on Friday. More could be on the way as O’Connor is building his roster for 2026.

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