Burroughs leaves MSU coaching staff

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Burroughs

Mississippi State assistant baseball coach Lane Burroughs is leaving the Bulldogs to take the head coaching position at Northwestern State.

The move was announced by MSU head coach John Cohen Tuesday night.

"Congrats to one of the rising stars in the coaching community," Cohen wrote about Burroughs on Twitter.

Burroughs served as the hitting coach for the Bulldogs over the past four season and helped Cohen return State to championship form.

The Meridian native joined the Bulldogs staff in June 2008 after having served as an assistant coach in the Big 12 Conference for the Kansas State Wildcats in 2008.

Burroughs has coached 17 seasons, including a stint with Cohen at Northwestern State during the 1997 and 98 seasons. 

Stratton is officially a Giant

Chris Stratton, now a former Mississippi State pitcher, is now a San Francisco Giant.

On Tuesday, Stratton signed his contract with the Major League franchise after being drafted with the 20th overall pick of the 2012 MLB Draft.

“You can’t be nervous and just the fact they considered me in the first round is a blessing in and of itself,” said Stratton shortly after being drafted. “I had talked to Hugh Walker at the SEC Tournament, awesome guy. He just called me and we celebrated together. It was a great experience.”

Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that Stratton will receive the full slot bonus of $1.85 million.

Stratton was the highest drafted hurlers since Paul Maholm was taken 8th overall by Pittsburgh in 2003. He finished his career with 21 wins and won the 2012 Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year award.

It was also confirmed Tuesday night that Nick Routt signed a pro contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Routt was drafted in the 16th round by the Reds.

Both Stratton and Routt are headed to Arizona for training camp.