Astros Select Ryan Verdugo in MLB Draft

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – With the 28th pick in the 12th round of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft, the Houston Astros made Roadrunner pitcher Ryan Verdugo the 23rd drafted student-athlete in the history of the Cal State Bakersfield’s baseball program.

A native of South El Monte, Calif., Verdugo made his mark on the mound during the 2024 season, leading the Roadrunners with a 2.72 ERA. The 6-foot-2, right-handed pitcher threw 93 strikeouts over 89.1 innings of working, ranking as one of the top pitchers in The Big West. The junior was Bakersfield’s best pitcher for the year, resetting multiple CSUB records including pitching seven innings of no-hit baseball and claiming back-to-back Big West Pitcher of the week honors.

As the 373rd pick in the draft, Verdugo becomes the seventh `Runner to be selected in the 12th round or earlier. He is the first ‘Runner to be drafted by the Houston Astros.

CSUB Baseball is in the process of wrapping up its search for just the fourth Head Coach in the program’s history. The `Runners look forward to announcing the team’s new leader who will look to continue producing MLB Draft picks in the future.