commencing countdown

It might be Hunter Renfroe. Maybe Tim Anderson. Perhaps Bobby Wahl or even Stuart Turner. The top MLB draft pick from Mississippi will be revealed tonight. MLB Network has live coverage. Meanwhile, here’s a quick glance at the top picks from the Magnolia State in recent years: In 2008, Ole Miss’ Lance Lynn was a supplemental first round selection (39th overall) by St. Louis. He is currently a mainstay in the Cardinals' rotation (8-1, 2.76 ERA), a potential All-Star next month. In 2009, Taylorsville High’s Billy Hamilton went to Cincinnati in the second round. After setting a pro record with 155 stolen bases last season, Hamilton is currently batting .250 with 32 steals at Triple-A Louisville. The top pick in 2010 was Drew Pomeranz of Ole Miss; he went fifth overall to Cleveland. The left-hander is currently pitching for Colorado’s Triple-A Colorado Springs club and is 6-1 with a 4.26 ERA. In 2011, the Florida (now Miami) Marlins took Connor Barron of Sumrall in the third round, but he didn’t sign. He just finished his sophomore campaign at Southern Miss. Last year’s top pick from the state was Stone County’s D.J. Davis, 17th overall by Toronto. He spent most of 2012 in the rookie Gulf Coast League (.233, four homers, 12 RBIs) but finished the campaign with Vancouver in the short season Northwest League. P.S. Mitch Moreland, the former Mississippi State star now with Texas, could be headed to the disabled list after leaving Wednesday’s game with a hamstring injury. He was to have an MRI today. Moreland is having a big year: .288, 12 home runs and 29 RBIs for the first-place Rangers.