the journey begins

The top four Mississippians picked in the MLB draft, all taken in the first two rounds, have signed pro contracts: Blake Anderson (West Lauderdale High) with Miami, Jacob Lindgren (Mississippi State) with the New York Yankees, Ti’Quan Forbes (Columbia High) with Texas and Spencer Turnbull (Madison Central via Alabama) with Detroit. Harrison Central High’s Bobby Bradley, a third-round pick, also has signed with Cleveland. The crop of nine Ole Miss players who were selected, including third-rounder Chris Ellis (by the Los Angeles Angels), can’t sign until they are done at the College World Series. P.S. LeDarious Clark, an outfielder at East Mississippi Community College, was the top-rated juco draft prospect in the state before the season. Clark hit .325 with five home runs, 30 RBIs and 20 steals for a good Lions team but was not picked in the 40 rounds of the draft. There has been no report on any team signing Clark as a free agent.