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FINAL LOOK: Sending off JFD, the fiery Ole Miss baseballer drafted by the Minnesota Twins

Ben Garrettby: Ben Garrett07/12/23SpiritBen
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Ole Miss pitcher Jack Dougherty

The MLB Draft came and went and Ole Miss baseball had four current Rebels selected, as well as three signees all expected to sign, including prized shortstop Cooper Pratt. 

First baseman Anthony Calarco — who played just one season at Ole Miss after transferring in from Northwestern — signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Texas Rangers. Veteran pitcher Jack Doughtery was the last Rebel to hear his name called. He went off the board to the Minnesota Twins in the ninth round (No. 267 overall). 

Dougherty made 15 appearances last season — a forgettable one for Ole Miss, which had won its first-ever national championship the previous summer. The Rebels suffered their first losing season since 1997 and only won six SEC games. 

Dougherty — nicknamed JFD (Jack ‘Freaking’ Dougherty) for his fiery personality on the mound — started nine games, though he mostly worked out of the bullpen for his career.

He led all Ole Miss starters in ERA and finished second in opposing batting average (.261), saves (2), innings pitched (60.1) and strikeouts (65). He tied his career-high for single-game innings pitched (6.0) on three different occasions. Dougherty also struck out a career-high seven batters three times.

Dougherty had a career-high 17 appearances in 2022. He posted a 4-3 record with a 4.91 ERA and 61 strikeouts. He had three consecutive scoreless appearances during Ole Miss’ postseason title run. Dougherty picked up a win against Arizona in the Coral Gables Regional, as well as a save against Southern Miss in Super Regional play. Dougherty also started Game 1 of the College World Series Finals against Oklahoma. 

He earned the win in going five-plus innings. Dougherty struck out six.

Let’s take a final look back at Dougherty’s Rebel career, in highlights provided by Ole Miss Sports Production.

RELATED: MLB Draft signs were pointing Ole Miss’ way for Cooper Pratt. Then came the Milwaukee Brewers.

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