The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has announced the finalists for the annual Ferriss Trophy, which goes to the state’s top college baseball player.
Finalists include Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese, Mississippi State pitcher Tomas Valincius, Ole Miss pitcher Cade Townsend, Ole Miss third baseman Judd Utermark and Southern Miss pitcher Grayden Harris. Last year’s winner was former Southern Miss pitcher JB Middleton.
The Ferriss Trophy, which began recognizing the state’s most impactful college baseball player in 2004, was named for former Boston Red Sox pitcher and longtime Delta State coach Dave “Boo” Ferriss.
Mississippi State 3B Ace Reese
Reese, a junior third baseman who elected to remain at Mississippi State under first-year head coach Brian O’Connor, has been one of the SEC’s most productive offensive players this season. He is hitting .335 and leads the SEC with 21 doubles while also topping the Bulldogs with 68 hits, 18 home runs, and 63 RBI. Reese is the only player on the team to start all 52 games this season.
Mississippi State LHP Tomas Valincius
Valincius (8-2), a sophomore left-hander who followed O’Connor to Starkville from Virginia, has emerged as one of the top pitchers in the SEC this season. In 13 starts, he owns a 2.52 ERA, 105 strikeouts, and just 16 walks across 75 innings pitched. He currently ranks second in the SEC in wins and strikeouts and third in earned run average.
Ole Miss RHP Cade Townsend
Townsend (5-2) has quickly established himself as one of the top young arms in the SEC. The freshman right-hander has delivered several standout performances this season, including an eight-strikeout outing against Missouri State and a strong showing against Tennessee during SEC play. He boasts a 3.25 ERA and has struck out 77 batters while only allowing 20 earned runs in 55.1 innings.
Ole Miss 3B Judd Utermark
Utermark has been one of the most productive hitters in the SEC this season, batting .317 with 19 home runs and 59 RBI through 49 games. He ranks among the conference leaders in slugging percentage and total bases, and is one long ball away from breaking the program record of 48, which he currently shares with Kyle Gordon. Last season, he led the Rebels with 22 home runs and 69 RBI, the second-most single-season home runs in program history.
Southern Miss LHP Grayden Harris
Harris (7-1) has emerged as one of the top arms in the Sun Belt, providing consistency and leadership on the mound for the Golden Eagles throughout the season. He currently boasts a 3.31 ERA through 73.1 innings and has struck out 85 batters.
The winner of the 2026 Ferriss Trophy will be announced during a presentation luncheon on May 18 at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson.
This year’s luncheon will feature special guest speaker Stephen Head, the inaugural Ferriss Trophy winner in 2004 and former Ole Miss standout. Head earned All-SEC honors during his collegiate career before being selected in the second round of the MLB Draft by the then-Cleveland Indians.
Tickets for the luncheon are available for purchase online or through the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame business office.
