A trio of Western Kentucky University pitchers saw their childhood dreams come true as they received the call to join the ranks of Major League Baseball.
Left-handed pitcher Jacob Bimbi led the charge, taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 11th round with the 324th pick. Right-handed pitcher Mason Burns followed, scooped up by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 14th round with the 411th pick. Rounding out the day for the Hilltoppers, right-handed pitcher Grant Burleson was selected in the 18th round, 553rd overall, by the Houston Astros.
These selections mark a significant milestone for WKU, as Bimbi, Burns, and Burleson become the 60th, 61st, and 62nd Hilltoppers to be chosen in the MLB Draft all-time. This achievement includes four players drafted during coach Marc Rardin’s two seasons on The Hill. Notably, CJ Weins was taken by the Boston Red Sox in the 6th round in 2023, marking the first time Hilltoppers have been selected in consecutive drafts since Jacob Rhinesmith in 2018 and Jake Sanford in 2019.
Bimbi is the first Hilltopper to be drafted by the Pirates since Johnny Vance in 1971. Burns is the first Hilltopper to be selected by the Cardinals since Danny Hudzina in 2016, and Burleson is the first Hilltopper to be taken by the Houston Astros in WKU program history.
This draft also marks the first time in 13 years that WKU has had at least three players selected, echoing the 2011 MLB Draft, which saw Kes Carter, Phil Wetherell, Matt Rice, Logan Robbins, Chris Bullard, and Brian Edelen all taken.
Jacob Bimbi’s Journey
Bimbi’s path to the draft is a tale of perseverance. Starting his career at Wabash Valley Community College, he transferred to Tennessee for his junior season, making 15 appearances with a 5.27 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 13.2 innings. The Crystal Lake, Ill., native then moved to WKU for his final year, helping the Hilltoppers achieve their most prolific season since 2009.
The southpaw made 14 starts, the most of any Hilltopper pitcher, posting a 4-2 record with 72 strikeouts in 54.2 innings. His standout performance came in a series-clinching win over No. 8 Dallas Baptist, where he tossed 5.2 scoreless frames and struck out eight batters.
Mason Burns’ Record-Breaking Season
Burns transferred to The Hill from Illinois State ahead of the 2023 season and quickly made his mark. The senior closer finished off a historic 2024 campaign with 15 saves, the most in a single season in program history, breaking Ian Thompkins’ record of 14 set in 2014. His 19 career saves are the second-most by a Hilltopper pitcher in program history. Burns totaled a 3.40 ERA with a 9-5 record in 90.0 innings, recording 118 strikeouts during his time at WKU.
Recognized as one of the top relief pitchers in the country, Burns was named to Perfect Game USA’s “Top 75 College Seniors” and selected to the Conference USA Preseason All-Conference Team as a relief pitcher. He was also a finalist for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year award and named an NCBWA All-American and an NCBWA All-Midwest Region First Team member.
Grant Burleson’s Impact
Burleson came to WKU for his junior season following a two-year stint at Columbia State Community College. He made 17 appearances with 13 starts, totaling a 4-1 record with two complete games. In 2024, Burleson appeared in 20 games, making four starts, and posted a 2-1 record with 39 strikeouts in 34.0 innings. One of his standout performances came against Middle Tennessee, where he fanned five batters in 3.2 frames to claim his second win of the season.
This draft haul underscores the depth and talent within the Hilltopper baseball program, and the future looks bright as these young men take the next step in their baseball careers.
