Kansas State Wildcats baseball star Dee Kennedy picked in 2026 MLB Draft
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- Dee Kennedy was selected 114th overall in Round 4 of the 2026 MLB Draft.
- Kennedy transferred to Kansas State after his freshman year and flourished there.
- Kennedy hit .357 with 69 RBIs and 20 home runs in his junior season.
After building his resume with outstanding play in Manhattan, Kansas, Dee Kennedy is taking his talents to St. Louis — specifically, the Cardinals organization of Major League Baseball.
The Cardinals on Saturday made Kennedy the 114th overall selection of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Kennedy, a shortstop who hails from Fort Worth, improved his play dramatically after undergoing LASIK surgery, and scouts sure took notice.
The slick fielder drew this praise from MLB.com: “Kennedy may be the most improved player in NCAA Division I this season.”
Kennedy transferred to K-State after his freshman year. He also had the eye procedure, and then he flourished at KSU. As reported by The Star’s Christian Marshall, he “improved in nearly every offensive statistic during his sophomore season. His real breakout came in his junior year, when he hit .357 with 69 RBIs and 20 home runs — all team highs.”
So now, as a 21-year-old who began his college career at Texas, Kennedy will continue his baseball journey with the St. Louis organization.
The approximate slot value for his spot in the two-day selection process was $684,300.
This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 6:26 PM.