Mizzou MLB Draft: McDevitt, Durnin go in 4th round

Mizzou MLB Draft: Two Missouri Tigers were taken in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft. Right-hander Josh McDevitt was selected 116th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and shortstop Kam Durnin went 121st overall to the Houston Astros (per Rock M Nation).

Mizzou MLB Draft roundup

Josh McDevitt (No. 116, Arizona Diamondbacks) and Kam Durnin (No. 121, Houston Astros) were both fourth-round selections, giving Missouri two top-125 picks in the same draft. Those picks remove a frontline starter and an everyday shortstop from next season’s roster and underscore Mizzou’s recent player-development momentum (per Rock M Nation).

“McDevitt racked up a career-high 102 strikeouts over 79.1 innings,” per Rock M Nation.

How McDevitt climbed to the 4th round

McDevitt emerged as the Tigers’ clear staff ace in 2026. He posted 102 strikeouts across 79.1 innings in 15 starts and finished the year among the program’s single-season leaders in punchouts (per Rock M Nation).

His season included SEC-caliber outings that caught evaluators’ eyes: a five-inning start in an SEC series at Vanderbilt and a seven-strikeout performance in an important win over Arkansas (per Rock M Nation). McDevitt and fellow starter Brady Kehlenbrink became the first pair of Tigers to each approach 100 strikeouts in the same season in recent program history, highlighting depth at the top of the rotation (per Rock M Nation).

Scouts cited his ability to generate swing-and-miss results against quality competition as a key reason Arizona selected him in round four. Pro development for McDevitt is expected to emphasize pitch refinement and workload management as he transitions into the Diamondbacks’ system.

Durnin’s season and pro profile

Kam Durnin started 43 games at shortstop after transferring from Wichita State and became Mizzou’s primary offensive engine (per Rock M Nation). He finished the season with a .329 batting average and a .570 slugging percentage, producing a robust on-base figure as well (per Rock M Nation).

Durnin delivered several signature moments: a 415-foot home run during a comeback against UIC and a two-homer game against No. 5 Georgia that showcased his power and run-producing capacity (per Rock M Nation). He closed the season on a tear, hitting .425 over his final 10 games and posting strong postseason on-base numbers in limited plate appearances (per Rock M Nation).

Houston’s selection reflects interest in his bat-first profile; the Astros will assess his defensive scalability while projecting his power into the professional ranks.

Roster and recruiting context for Mizzou

The departures of McDevitt and Durnin create clear, immediate needs: innings in the starting rotation and a middle-of-the-order shortstop who can provide power and on-base ability. Those are starter-level roles, not late-inning depth slots, which shapes how Missouri will approach the offseason.

Head coach Kerrick Jackson and his staff have been actively engaged in the transfer portal as part of that work. The program has been reported as ranked 19th in transfer portal ratings (per Rock M Nation), making the portal the primary short-term route to replace proven production while incoming freshmen and returning underclassmen develop.

Practically, the staff will prioritize adding either a veteran innings-eater in the rotation or multiple pitchers who can combine for 120–200 innings, plus a bat with middle-of-the-order credentials to replace Durnin’s run production. That plan typically mixes targeted portal additions, accelerated roles for internal options and select freshmen enrollees. Missouri’s recent fourth-round picks provide a recruiting talking point: demonstrable pro advancement can help convince high-end transfers and recruits that the Tigers develop talent to a professional level.

What comes next for the players and program

McDevitt will enter the Arizona Diamondbacks’ development pipeline as a battle-tested SEC starter. Expect initial assignments in the short-season or Low-A levels where he can build innings and refine secondary offerings under pro coaching.

Durnin joins the Houston Astros organization, which will evaluate his defensive profile and power as it maps him through the system. Both players will begin pro development plans that focus on role clarity, workload and the incremental adjustments teams favor for college draftees.

For Mizzou, the program’s immediate checklist includes identifying portal targets to replace innings and middle-of-the-order production, assessing spring and summer development trajectories for rising pitchers and position players, and leveraging these draft outcomes in recruiting conversations. The staff’s portal work and recruiting calendar will be front-and-center over the next 8–12 weeks as Missouri retools for 2027.

Key takeaways

• Two top-125 picks in a single draft reinforce Mizzou’s rising profile and development pipeline (per Rock M Nation).
• McDevitt’s 102 strikeouts and SEC track record helped his draft standing (per Rock M Nation).
• Durnin’s transfer season (.329/.570) and highlight power moments made him an attractive fourth-round selection (per Rock M Nation).
• The staff will lean on the transfer portal (program ranked 19th, per Rock M Nation), internal promotion and recruiting to fill immediate roster needs.

FAQ

Who from Mizzou was drafted in 2026?

Right-hander Josh McDevitt and shortstop Kam Durnin were drafted in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft (per Rock M Nation).

What round and pick numbers did McDevitt and Durnin go?

McDevitt was selected 116th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Durnin was selected 121st overall by the Houston Astros (per Rock M Nation).

How will these picks affect Mizzou’s roster and recruiting?

The Tigers lose a top-of-rotation starter and a middle-of-the-order shortstop, creating openings the staff will address via the transfer portal, internal promotions and recruiting. The selections also serve as proof points for Mizzou’s ability to advance players to the professional ranks (per Rock M Nation).

Source: Rock M Nation — https://www.rockmnation.com/mlb-draft/150255/mizzou-to-the-majors-mcdevitt-durnin-drafted-in-fourth-round-of-mlb-draft