WKU Baseball saw three members of their 2024 roster drafted during day three of the MLB Draft on Tuesday.
Senior left-handed pitcher Jacob Bimbi was the first Hilltopper off the board, selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 11th round with the 324th pick in the draft. Senior right-handed pitcher Mason Burns followed as he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 14th round with the 411th overall pick. Junior right-handed pitcher Grant Burleson was selected soon after in the 18th round, 553rd overall, by the Houston Astros.
Entering the draft the Hilltoppers had seen 59 players selected in the MLB Draft all-time.
Head coach Marc Rardin has seen four players drafted during his first two years at WKU.
The 2024 draft marks the first time in 13 years WKU has had at least three players selected in the draft in one season.
Bimbi had an eventful college career before being drafted, transferring twice. Bimbi began his career at Wabash Valley Community College before transferring to Tennessee for his junior season. He then transferred to WKU for his senior year and had his best season yet.
Bimbi made 14 starts and posted a 4-2 record with 72 strikeouts in 54.2 innings with a 6.09 ERA.
Burns began his career at Illinois State before transferring to WKU ahead of the 2023 season. He appeared in 51 games during his two years as a Hilltopper. The WKU closer finished the 2024 season with 15 saves, marking the most in a single season in program history. Burns struck out 52 batters in only 35 innings and walked only 13.
Burleson came to the Hilloppers for his junior season following a two-year stint at Columbia State Community College. In 2024, Burleson appeared in 20 games, making four starts on the season. He posted a 2-1 record and struck out 39 batters in 34.0 innings of work, walking only ten batters all year.
