Mississippi State's batting order will have a different look to it this season, and not just because of the amount of turnover in personnel. John Cohen is still going to play small ball – let's not get crazy – but the Bulldogs should have a little more pop in the middle of the order.

State hit 30 home runs last season (in 63 games), which ranked 10th in the SEC. The team leader was shortstop Jonathan Odgen, with eight, and he was not considered a power hitter. He's graduated.

You can blame the new bats if you want, but the makeup of the team last year just didn't lend itself to a power game. This year's really won't either, but it should have more of that capability with some young players coming up.

The guy to watch is sophomore Hunter Renfroe. He saw limited action last season, going 4 of 26 at the plate in 14 games with no home runs.

"Hunter is one of those kids that when he takes BP (batting practice), our whole team shuts down and says, 'Oh my goodness, look at this,'" Cohen said. He later added, "Hunter Renfroe is a scary guy that can hit balls on top of that bathroom out there."

Senior closer Caleb Reed says Cohen isn't telling any tall tales. He can vouch for Renfroe's displays of power.

"Me and all the coaches always have a bet of how many home runs we think he'll hit this round. It's impressive to watch," Reed said.

Several other young players should add thump to MSU's lineup. Cohen mentioned redshirt freshman Wes Rea, the former offensive lineman who Dan Mullen once coveted (and probably still does). There's sophomore Daryl Norris – no homers last year, though – and junior college transfer Trey Porter, who hits left-handed.

Cohen feels he has plenty of options.

"There’s some meat in the middle of the order."

If that proves true, it should provide a complement to the small-ball approach Cohen values so highly. There is speed aplenty, so even if guys aren't hitting it out, doubles to the gap can get baserunners like C.T. Bradford and Demarcus Henderson from first to home.

The new bats introduced last year have cut down on home runs and scoring, so MSU is definitely not going to rely too heavily on the power game. But it's one of many elements that's needed.

"There's an athleticism with this group and you just get the feeling there's a good recipe of power, some runners," Cohen said, "but more than anything I love the way we defend the field and pitch."

I'll have plenty more on the Bulldogs in the coming days. The season begins Feb. 17 at home versus Washington State.