Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Three Blue Raiders selected in 2026 MLB Draft
7/12/2026 6:38:00 PM | Baseball
PHILADELPHIA- Three Blue Raiders were selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, marking the program's 78-80th selections all-time. This is the most selections for Middle Tennessee since the 2018 MLB Draft, and sets a record for the 20-round draft format.
Right-handed pitchers Drew Horn, David Horn Jr. and outfielder Owen Nowak were the Blue Raiders to hear their names called on Sunday. The selections etch their names into Middle Tennessee baseball history among the 115 others to appear in professional baseball.
DREW HORN- Redshirt Junior RHP
Horn was selected in the 12th round, 354th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals after two years with Middle Tennessee.
Following a stellar 2025, Horn was named to the All-CUSA second team after making eight starts to the tune of a 1.75 ERA, with 57 strikeouts in 46.1 innings.
A product of Smyrna, Tennessee, Horn put himself in the record books after throwing the fifth no-hitter in program history against Oakland on March 9, 2025. The right-hander struck out a career-high 13 batters in the effort.
In 2026, Horn made ten appearances including eight starts on the bump to accumulate 35.2 innings.
OWEN NOWAK- Junior OF
The Blue Raiders everyday centerfielder and a member of the 2026 All-CUSA second team, Owen Nowak was selected by the Houston Astros in the 12th round at pick 361.
In 57 games played during his lone year at the Division I level, Nowak slashed .318/.435/.472 while turning in the only perfect, error-free season by an outfielder in CUSA.
Nowak is the first primary outfielder drafted from the Blue Raiders since Ronnie Jebavy was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.
DAVID HORN JR.- Senior RHP
The Tampa Bay Rays used the 563rd pick in the 19th round to select senior right-hander David Horn Jr. to mark the third Blue Raider taken in the draft.
In his lone season at Middle Tennessee, Horn Jr. took charge of the weekend rotation, starting the first game of the final five series of the season. The right-hander led the staff in innings pitched with 72.0, strikeouts (82) and wins (four).
Horn Jr. finished the season strong at home, picking up 7.0 innings of one-run ball against Liberty to win CUSA Pitcher of the Week.
Follow the Blue Raiders: Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on X (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball) and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
Right-handed pitchers Drew Horn, David Horn Jr. and outfielder Owen Nowak were the Blue Raiders to hear their names called on Sunday. The selections etch their names into Middle Tennessee baseball history among the 115 others to appear in professional baseball.
DREW HORN- Redshirt Junior RHP
Horn was selected in the 12th round, 354th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals after two years with Middle Tennessee.
Following a stellar 2025, Horn was named to the All-CUSA second team after making eight starts to the tune of a 1.75 ERA, with 57 strikeouts in 46.1 innings.
A product of Smyrna, Tennessee, Horn put himself in the record books after throwing the fifth no-hitter in program history against Oakland on March 9, 2025. The right-hander struck out a career-high 13 batters in the effort.
In 2026, Horn made ten appearances including eight starts on the bump to accumulate 35.2 innings.
OWEN NOWAK- Junior OF
The Blue Raiders everyday centerfielder and a member of the 2026 All-CUSA second team, Owen Nowak was selected by the Houston Astros in the 12th round at pick 361.
In 57 games played during his lone year at the Division I level, Nowak slashed .318/.435/.472 while turning in the only perfect, error-free season by an outfielder in CUSA.
Nowak is the first primary outfielder drafted from the Blue Raiders since Ronnie Jebavy was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.
DAVID HORN JR.- Senior RHP
The Tampa Bay Rays used the 563rd pick in the 19th round to select senior right-hander David Horn Jr. to mark the third Blue Raider taken in the draft.
In his lone season at Middle Tennessee, Horn Jr. took charge of the weekend rotation, starting the first game of the final five series of the season. The right-hander led the staff in innings pitched with 72.0, strikeouts (82) and wins (four).
Horn Jr. finished the season strong at home, picking up 7.0 innings of one-run ball against Liberty to win CUSA Pitcher of the Week.
Follow the Blue Raiders: Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on X (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball) and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
Players Mentioned
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