​TCU right-hander Tommy LaPour, who transferred from Wichita State and emerged as an ace for the Horned Frogs last season, was selected by the Minnesota Twins with the 107th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft. LaPour, a Blue Springs, Missouri native standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 230 pounds, had a standout sophomore season in which he went 8-3 with a 3.09 ERA across 16 starts, racking up 88 strikeouts over 90.1 innings pitched. His dominant performance earned him a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team as a pitcher and he also earned an All-Tournament nod, signaling his impact at a high level of college competition.
Before transferring to TCU, LaPour spent a season at Wichita State, where he posted a 6-3 record with a 4.25 ERA over 78.1 innings, tallying 69 strikeouts and 37 walks. That season showcased his potential and provided a glimpse of the arm strength and command that would later help him anchor TCU’s pitching staff. However, injuries limited his junior campaign, preventing him from building on the prior success. He missed most of the season due to an arm injury, and when he did return to the mound, he recorded a 1-3 mark with a 6.35 ERA over six appearances, four of which were starts. In those limited outings, LaPour pitched 17 innings, striking out 17 while issuing 10 walks.
LaPour’s performance trajectory, marked by a powerful frame and a four-pact mix of pitchability and velocity, contributed to Minnesota’s decision to select him in the fourth round. The Twins invested the 107th overall pick in a player who demonstrated the ability to miss bats and compete at a high level in college baseball, despite the health setbacks that briefly interrupted his rise. His draft pedigree reflects not only his statistical achievements but also the scouting assessments that highlighted his ceiling as a potential middle- to late-rotation starter with upside as he continues to develop physically and refine his repertoire.
For TCU, LaPour’s departure marks the loss of a pitcher who had become a cornerstone of the rotation when fully healthy. His blend of size, arm strength, and competitive mound presence made him one of the more intriguing college arms to watch during the 2026 MLB Draft cycle. As the Twins look to integrate him into their system, evaluators will be watching how he translates his college success into professional performance, particularly how he refines his command and durability after navigating injury challenges.
In summary, Tommy LaPour’s journey from Wichita State to TCU, culminating in a fourth-round selection by Minnesota at 107th overall, highlights a talented pitcher whose peak potential and All-Big 12 recognition underscored his capability to perform at an elite college level. The draft position reflects belief in his upside as a developing MLB pitcher, with scouts likely to monitor his progression as he advances through Minnesota’s minor-league pathway, aiming to return to peak form and realize the promise that made him one of the notable college arms of his class. He finished his collegiate chapter with an impactful sophomore season and a trajectory that suggested greater achievements lay ahead, even as injuries tempered his junior campaign. LaPour’s name remains a notable entry in both TCU and Wichita State’s pitching histories, and his draft selection adds an important chapter to the story of a right-hander who captivated college baseball crowds with his performances.