Stringer sophomore Jackson Parker has committed to Mississippi State baseball. Parker’s commitment came on his birthday, turning 16 years old, and about a month after Mississippi State extended an offer to the left-handed slugger.
“It’s been a dream come true,” said Parker on Friday. “Since I was a kid, I dreamed of playing [Division 1] baseball. I guess the hard work paid off.”
Southern Miss was the first Division 1 program to offer Parker.
Also the quarterback of the school’s football team, Parker said baseball was the sport he grew to love early on.
“When I was nine, I was part of two teams that made it to the World Series events,” Parker stated. “We won one of them, and got second in the next. Then we went to Cooperstown when I was 11 and we beat a team from Puerto. I’ve just loved the game ever since.”
Parker led the Red Devils in batting average (.404), home runs (10) and RBI (42) as a freshman. In 139 plate appearances last season, the left-swinging slugger hit 42 base hits and crossed home plate 40 times. With his help, Stringer advanced to the Class 1A State Championship series for the first time since 1996. They finished the season, 25-12.
“It’s big news to get a Division 1 offer and commit like that, especially that young,” said Stringer baseball coach Wade Weathers. “I’m proud for him. He’s a talented baseball player and beyond his years on the field. He knows the game and swings the bat really well. He also pitches really well. He actually does a lot well that you wouldn’t expect from a kid that young.
“For our community, this is huge. I’m super proud to be his coach.”
On the mound in 2019, Parker boasted a 7-3 record. He struck out a team-high 91 opposing batters.
“I can’t really describe it,” said Parker’s dad, Stacy Parker, when asked about seeing his son commit to Mississippi State. “I knew when he was little - and a lot of other people knew too - that he’d be a special player one day. I really realized it when I took him to baseball camps and I saw him take part in them.”
Stacy spoke highly of his sons' work ethic.
“I saw blusters on his hands because he [practiced] batting so much,” added Stacy. “He just could not get enough of baseball. Him and his brother, Jake, love baseball and really sports in general. He wanted and still wants to be good at it.”
