Former baseball standout Ben Davis selected by Colorado Rockies in MLB Draft
Ben Davis arrived at Itawamba Community College as a two-way player from Booneville still trying to determine where baseball might take him.
FULTON, Miss. – Ben Davis arrived at Itawamba Community College as a two-way player from Booneville still trying to determine where baseball might take him.
Four years later, the Colorado Rockies made that path clear.
Colorado selected Davis in the fourth round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, taking the 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander with the 104th overall pick.
For Davis, the selection capped a college career built on steady development. For ICC, it was another example of what can begin at the community college level when talent meets opportunity.
Davis made an immediate impact during his freshman season in 2023. He went 7-2 with a 3.76 ERA, striking out 57 batters in 64 2/3 innings across 13 appearances and helped the Indians win 36 games.
His workload changed as a sophomore, but the results continued. Davis made eight appearances with seven starts, picked up three wins and struck out 47 in 39.2 innings. He averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings. Davis remained part of the lineup as well, batting .253 with eight doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs.
By the end of his time at ICC, he had earned 10 wins and recorded 104 strikeouts in 104.1 innings. More importantly, he had developed into the type of pitcher who could handle the move to the next level.
Mississippi State gave him that opportunity.
Davis became one of the Bulldogs' most dependable arms during the 2025 season, making a team-high 23 appearances. He finished 4-2 with one save and a 3.77 ERA while striking out 61 in 57.1 innings.
As a senior, Davis moved exclusively to the bullpen and settled into a late-inning role for Mississippi State. He made 26 relief appearances, recorded five saves and posted a 3.64 ERA. Davis struck out 57 and walked only 14 in 47 innings while holding opponents to a .239 batting average.
His final season earned him Second Team All-SEC honors as a relief pitcher. Davis was also named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year preseason and midseason watch lists. D1Baseball ranked him No. 11 among the nation's top relief pitchers, while Perfect Game listed him among its Top 100 seniors.
Across two seasons at Mississippi State, Davis made 49 appearances and finished with six saves, a 3.71 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 104.1 innings.