Loomis, Thompson latest MSU Bears drafted by MLB

SPRINGFIELD, Mo–120 Bears have been drafted by Major League teams over the long history of Missouri State baseball.

The two latest were picked late Tuesday as the three day draft wound down.

Pitchers Eric Loomis and Brandt Thompson went in back to back rounds.

The Texas Rangers drafted Loomis in the 16th round, he was the 495th player picked.

Loomis is a right handed pitcher from St. Louis who worked middle and late relief for the Bears in 2024.

Loomis struck out 33 batters in 26.2 innings of work.

The right hander will leave for Surprise, Arizona and the Rangers rookie league team at the end of this week.

He’s excited about being a Ranger.

“I was fortunate to do a workout down in Arlington earlier this summer with them. So I got to see the field a whole lot. I watched the Cardinals beat them in 2011 at home. It’s an historic organization as well. You have pitchers like Nolan Ryan in that organization,” said Loomis.

Just a few minutes after the Rangers picked Loomis, the St. Louis Cardinals drafted his teammate Brandt Thompson.

The cardinals picked Thompson in the 17th round, he was the 501st player picked in the Major League draft.

Thompson was the number one starter for the Missouri State Bears the last two seasons.

In 2024, the right handed pitcher made 16 starts and was 5-2 with a 3.78 earned run average.

Thompson’s from Eden Prairie, Minnesota but is excited to join the Cardinals and possibly return to Hammons Field when he makes it to Double AA.

“It ran through my head, man I might be going back to Peoria. I might be coming back to Springfield. It’s bittersweet because I’ve been there and it would have been cool to go to other places. But it’ll be fun to play at places that I’ve already played at. And it’ll be fun to be in a comfortable environment,” said Thompson.

“First and foremost I say congrats to these two. It’s a huge accomplishment especially with the draft being cut to only 20 rounds now. It’s become more of a challenge to get picked,” said Missouri State coach Joey Hawkins.

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