​The recent MLB Draft weekend provided prep players with a valuable glimpse of the next step in their baseball journeys, allowing hopefuls to envision themselves hearing their names called as teams begin to shape their rosters for the year ahead. Among the notable selections was Michigan State closer Nolan Higgins, who was picked in the fifth round by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays used the 164th overall selection to secure the Spartans’ closer, adding a right-handed pitcher with significant upside to their pitching staff.
Higgins stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and hails from Wixom, Michigan. He completed his high school career at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s before moving on to play at Michigan State. During his four-year tenure with the Spartans, Higgins appeared in 75 games, contributing as a reliable bullpen option. Over that span, he posted an earned run average of 6.76, a statistic that captures the challenges he faced at the college level but also the potential for growth as he transitions to professional competition. As he now shifts his focus to pursuing a professional career, Higgins will aim to refine his repertoire, improve consistency, and adapt to the rigors and demands of higher levels of play.
The draft moment marks an important milestone for Higgins and offers a new platform to showcase his talents on a larger stage. As he embarks on this professional chapter, he will join the Blue Jays, a franchise known for developing pitchers and integrating promising arms into their system. The path from college closer to a major league contributor is demanding, but Higgins has the requisite size and experience to pursue advancement through the minors and, potentially, future opportunities at the highest level.
For continued Michigan State coverage, stay connected with Spartans Wire and follow us for ongoing updates, notes, and analysis on Spartans athletics. You can engage with our coverage on X (formerly Twitter) by following @TheSpartansWire, and like our Facebook page for more frequent posts and insights. For additional perspectives and reporting, you can also follow Cory Linsner on X at @Rex_Linzy. This note originally appeared on Spartans Wire, highlighting Michigan State’s closer being selected in the fifth round of the MLB Draft, with a focus on the implications for both Higgins and the Spartans program.