Thompson Taken by Cardinals in 17th Round

FORT WORTH, Texas – Missouri State right-hander Brandt Thompson was chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 17th round (501st overall) of the 2024 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday.

Missouri State’s No. 1 starter the last two seasons, Thompson is the Bears’ first starting pitcher since Nick Petree in 2012-13 to earn consecutive first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference honors and the fourth multiple-time winner of the teams Dave Dickensheet Outstanding Pitcher Award.

In 2024, the senior from Eden Prairie, Minn., started 16 games and went 5-2 with a 3.78 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 78.2 innings. He led the MVC with a 1.16 WHIP, ranked second in ERA and third in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.41) and opponent average (.234).

Thompson completed his MSU career ranked ninth in school history with a 3.24 K/BB rate, tied for 16th with 33 pitching starts, and went 11-7 with a 3.61 ERA, .251 BAA and 159 strikeouts in 162 innings.

He is the 120th Missouri State player selected in the MLB draft.

MLB teams have until August 1 to sign selections in the 2024 draft.