CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Former University of Southern Mississippi and Pearl River Community College standout right-handed pitcher Landon Harper, a native to Meridian, was promoted to Mississippi from High-A Rome, in a trio of roster moves by the Atlanta Braves Saturday that impacted the Mississippi Braves roster. In addition to Harper, right-handed pitcher Patrick Halligan was transferred to Mississippi from Triple-A Gwinnett and right-handed pitcher JJ Niekro was placed on the seven day injured list.

Harper was the Atlanta Braves 14th-round selection in 2022 out of Southern Miss and began the season with the Rome Emperors, making nine appearances and one start. The 23-year-old posted a 2-2 record and 5.16 ERA (13 ER/22.1 IP), four walks, 22 strikeouts and a 1.15 WHIP.

The Meridian native spent the 2023 season with Low-A Augusta, going 6-3 with a 3.34 ERA over 72.2 innings pitched, 31 relief appearances, 69 strikeouts and only 11 walks. A two-sport standout at Northeast Lauderdale High School, Harper lettered four years in baseball and soccer.

Harper began his college career at Pearl River Community College before transferring to Southern Miss for one season in 2022. He went 2-2 with a 3.30 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in his lone season for the Golden Eagles, logging 12 saves, nine walks and 50 strikeouts in 43.2 IP. He was teammates with current M-Braves starter Hurston Waldrep on that club that advanced to the Super Regionals.

The Meridianite joins outfielder Brandon Parker on the current roster as natives of the Magnolia State. Parker is from Saucier and played his high school ball at West Harrison before playing collegiately at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Prior to Parker, the last M-Braves player to be a native Mississippian was Austin Riley in 2017-2018.

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