K-State reliever selected in fourth round of MLB draft

MANHATTAN (KSNT) - After becoming a staple of Wildcat baseball in 2023 and 2024, Tyson Neighbors is getting an opportunity to play pro baseball.

Neighbors, a right-handed relief pitcher, was selected No. 118 overall in the MLB Draft, in the fourth round, by the San Diego Padres. He becomes the second Wildcat picked in the first four rounds, joining infielder Kaelen Culpepper who was selected in the first round.

Neighbors broke out in 2023 with a 1.85 ERA in 25 appearances. In that sophomore year, he threw 48.2 innings on 25 appearances and struck out 86 batters. He battled injury as a junior in 2024 but was healthier late in the season. Neighbors finished his junior campaign with a 3.96 ERA in 22 appearances, throwing 38.2 innings.

Neighbors will long be remembered among Wildcat fans for his ten-out save against Arkansas in the NCAA regional, which K-State went on to win.