Ole Miss baseball 2025 season preview: 3 biggest games, key players, predictions and more
Ole Miss baseball produced a disappointing season this year. The Rebels finished sixth in the Southeastern Conference West with an 11-19 conference record and suffered a first-round exit in the SEC Tournament.
This ensured that they failed to make the postseason for the second year in a row, capping off a disappointing season in which they finished 27-29 overall. The Rebels' performance since winning the 2022 College World Series is arguably the worst in the Mike Bianco era.
However, he achieved the rare feat of reaching 1,000 wins when the Rebels beat the Georgia Bulldogs on April 20. Bianco's contract, which runs through the 2026 season, earned him a bonus of $250,000 for achieving the feat.
With the athletic department choosing to keep Bianco, he will be motivated to take the Rebels back to the top in his 25th season as their head coach. The Rebels have made some major changes in their staff and roster to improve their chances of achieving success.
Let's preview Ole Miss ahead of the 2025 NCAA Baseball season.
3 key games for Ole Miss Baseball in the 2025 season
#3, Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks finished top of the SEC West with a 20-10 conference record, which earned them the No. 5 national seed in the NCAA Tournament. During the regular season, the Razorbacks swept the Rebels in a three-game series in Fayetteville.
The Razorbacks are likely to be strong once again and could pose a threat to the Rebels' ambitions as one of their two permanent opponents in 2025.
#2, LSU Tigers
The Tigers and the Rebels have produced some interesting games in recent memory. The two most recent winners of the College World Series fell short of expectations in 2024 and will be motivated to bounce back in 2025.
The Tigers arguably have the best recruiting class of all teams in NCAA baseball and are among the favorites to win the College World Series next year. This should make them one of the Rebels' most formidable opponents in 2025.
#1, Mississippi State Bulldogs
The rivalry between the Rebels and the Bulldogs is one of the most intense in NCAA baseball. The Rebels will be more motivated to come out on top in 2025 given they lost a three-game home series in the regular season this year.
Key players for the Ole Miss Rebels in 2025
#3, Ryan Moerman, OF
The Rebels picked up former Illinois star Moerman from the transfer portal during the offseason. He produced a strong junior season for the Fighting Illini, hitting 19 home runs and 53 RBIs with an average of .259 in 53 games.
Along with experience, Moerman could also bring a sense of calm to a Rebels offense that was far from perfect this year.
#2, Cade Townsend, RHP
Townsend was ranked 150th in the top prospects for this year's draft, however, he chose to honor his commitment to the Rebels for the 2025 season, which would be a big boost to the bullpen.
Townsend ranked fourth among right-handed pitchers in California as per Perfect Game following excellent performances for Santa Margarita Catholic High. Armed with a fastball ranging in the low 90s and a masterful knuckleball, he could be one of the best freshmen in 2025.
#1, Isaac Humphrey, OF
Humphrey is another pickup from the transfer portal. The former Louisville Cardinals star hit 10 home runs and 42 RBI with an average of .312 in 60 games played.
Entering his final year of eligibility, Humphrey is likely to play a big part in the Rebels' offense next year.
Predicting Ole Miss Rebels' 2025 season
The Rebels have made decent additions to their roster for the 2025 season. However, they don't outweigh their losses in this year's MLB draft and the transfer portal, which leaves them with a lot of work to do in the fall.
The addition of the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns to the conference could see the Rebels struggle in the regular season. Should they strengthen their offense further, they could be a dark horse to make it to the postseason. However, the stiff competition from the rest of the SEC could see Bianco and his team endure difficult times in 2025.