predictions, predictions

Hunter Renfroe, the big basher from Mississippi State, will go 14th in next week’s MLB draft, according to mlb.com’s latest mock draft. Ferriss Trophy winner Renfroe, who put up tremendous offensive numbers and also plays a good outfield, is projected to be selected by Pittsburgh. Also pegged to go in the first round is Tim Anderson, the brilliant East Central Community College shortstop who led the Warriors to the state juco title. He is predicted to go 31st to Atlanta. Ole Miss pitcher Bobby Wahl isn’t listed among the first-rounders by mlb.com, but he can’t be far behind. P.S. Quick picks for the NCAA regionals that start Friday: State will win its tournament, Ole Miss and Jackson State will call it a season. The Bulldogs’ regional is regarded as a tough one with South Alabama (No. 18 RPI), Mercer (No. 28) and Central Arkansas placed in Starkville. But Dudy Noble Field is a tremendous home-field edge for State, which is making its 31st NCAA tourney appearance. Ole Miss, seeking to end that long CWS drought, won’t get past North Carolina State, a consensus top 10 team playing at home in Raleigh. Jackson State will go 2-and-out in Baton Rouge, where it must open with 52-9 LSU, which has the talent to win the national title. … Good for left-hander Alex Wood, promoted to Atlanta from Mississippi today. Not so good for the Double-A M-Braves, who lose the Southern League’s ERA leader (1.26, with a 4-2 record) in the midst of a division title chase.