​Missouri baseball continues to prove it belongs under the brightest lights. In the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Tigers showcased their elite talent as two of the program’s top players were taken by Major League teams. Clutch right-handed pitcher Josh McDevitt was the first Tiger selected, going 116th overall to the Arizona Diamondbacks. A short while later, the Houston Astros followed suit by drafting shortstop Kam Durnin with the 121st pick. These selections are poised to cement both players as cornerstones of the program and mark a significant win for Missouri in the national recruiting landscape.
After three seasons in Columbia, McDevitt elevated his game to another level in his final year with the Tigers. Serving as the anchor of the rotation, the right-hander posted a career-best 102 strikeouts over 79.1 innings across 15 starts. He etched his name into Missouri’s record books by recording the 11th-most strikeouts in a single season in program history. Partnering with Brady Kehlenbrink, he became part of the first duo of Missouri teammates to each record 100-plus strikeouts in the same season. In 2026, McDevitt delivered a standout five-inning outing to secure a pivotal SEC series win over Vanderbilt and anchored a crucial road series victory at Kentucky. His seven-strikeout performance helped lead the Tigers to a conference win over Arkansas, and he capped his season by helping Missouri claim its first SEC Tournament victory since 2017 with a win over Ole Miss.
Arizona is adding a battle-tested arm with a proven ability to excel under pressure and in the demanding SEC grind. Durnin, a transfer from Wichita State who overcame an early-season injury to start 43 games at shortstop, led Missouri in nearly every major offensive category. Last season, he posted a team-high .329 batting average, a .570 slugging percentage, a .438 on-base percentage, and an impressive OPS of 1.008. He unloaded power against top competition, highlighted by a 415-foot home run during a memorable 11-run comeback against UIC and by delivering two homers in a matchup against No. 5 Georgia. Durnin consistently used his strength to impact games, and he finished strong, hitting .425 over his final 10 games and reaching base seven times in nine postseason plate appearances to help Missouri win the SEC Tournament.
With his selection, Durnin becomes the third active Missouri product currently within the Astros organization. He heads to professional baseball to reunite with former Tigers Bryce Mayer and Trevor Austin, who joined the organization in 2024. Houston has quickly become a home away from home for Missouri’s top talents, and Durnin’s presence at shortstop and his team-leading bat will be missed at Taylor Stadium as he moves onto the next level. This duo’s transition to the pros marks a significant milestone for Missouri, underscoring the program’s continued ability to develop elite players who thrive under pressure and at the highest levels of competition.