Ian Tompkins Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 12th Round

Former WKU Hilltoppers left-handed closer Ian Tompkins was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 12th round of the 2014 First Year MLB Player Draft, becoming the eighth WKU pitcher since 2009 to be drafted, and the first Topper overall to be taken this year.

Tompkins, who is from Louisville and played at St. X, also becomes the eighth Hilltopper all time to join the Royals organization, as he will join last years draftee Andrew Edwards as well as Doug Piatt (1988), Colby Beach (2008), Matt Ridings (2010) and Brian Edelen (2011). Tompkins lead the Sun Belt in saves with 14 in 2014 as he finished the year with a 2.42 ERA in 26 appearances and struck out 46 batters over 26 innings, setting a career high in strikeouts per nine innings at 15.92. He finishes his WKU career with 161 K’s in 117 innings, which his the third best K/9IP mark among active pitchers in the NCAA (12.38).

2014 saw an abundance of accolades come towards Tompkins way as well, as he was the only relief pitcher selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference First-Team, as named to the Midseason NCBWA Stopper of the Year watch list and was named to the Third-Team of the Capital One Academic All-American squad.

Tompkins becomes the eighth active former Hilltopper to be playing professional baseball.