Which Ole Miss baseball players can bring stability back to the program?

The noise outside the Ole Miss Rebels baseball stadium may be the loudest it’s been in Mike Bianco’s entire tenure at Oxford.

Several players with a lot of potential have entered the portal, with Wes Mendes being the latest to enter his name. These are guys who may have had a big impact on the program last season, and now the Rebels must pick up the pieces and move on. But who could be the man to help rebuild the program?

Here are some players who could take the next step and become the face of the program going forward and into the 2025 season.

Will Furniss

Furniss has taken to social media to call out Rebel Nation that he is not going anywhere.

Furniss has had a mixed career in Oxford thus far, but when he gets going, he has the potential to become not only one of the best power hitters in the SEC, but in the country. After the Rebels were a disaster on defense, Furniss stepped up to first base. He also starred in the Mississippi State series, establishing himself as one of the heroes in the extra-inning comeback win over the Bulldogs.

Furniss seems ready to take the next step and become the leader the team is looking for.

Lucas Hill

After struggling to start the year, the kid from Baton Rouge warmed up to the Rebels. After starting the year at short, Hill was moved to second. That must have been discouraging, but he stepped up and took the role like a pro.

Hill will most likely play in the middle in 2025 and will be a crucial part of the lineup, either as a leadoff pitcher or as an RBI producer in the middle of the lineup.

Hill is now a veteran and will need to be a leader as the roster is currently in flux.

Campbell Smithwick

The catcher position was a disaster for the Rebs in 2024, when they rotated three players behind the plate. Now, two of those players are gone.

The Rebels added Collin Reuter through the portal and he seems like the right fit, but for this team to be successful in 2025, Smithwick needs to be right in the thick of it. He has all the tools and came into his swing late in the year. His ability to play the outfield is also a big plus.

The boy from Oxford could well become the favourite if he has a good season in 2025, not only because of his play, but also because of his ability to attract the team.

Bricklayer Morris

Mason Morris was set to be a midseason starter and bullpen player in 2024, but the loss of several top players will significantly expand his role next spring.

The Rebels need a dawg in the bullpen, and if Morris can be that for this Rebels team, that would be a huge deal. Morris is a Tupelo man, and you know he would love to step up and show his home team.

Slade Caldwell

While Caldwell could hear his name called early in the upcoming 2024 MLB Draft later this month, if he were to come to Oxford he could be a flashy prospect from Day One.

Caldwell’s potential on the field is very high, as he is one of the top high school prospects in the country. In a league full of young talent, Caldwell could stand out from the crowd and give the Rebels a spark that is hard to find.

While it may be difficult for younger guys to find a leadership voice, Caldwell could be someone who leads by example and quickly finds the field when he arrives on campus in August.