The Minnesota Twins used the 2026 MLB draft to keep adding talent behind the plate and on the mound, and one of their most intriguing picks came in the fourth round.
After taking Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the third overall pick, then adding Texas catcher Carson Tinney at No. 43 and Grandview High School pitcher Ethan Wachsmann, Minnesota went back to the pitching pool with the 107th pick and grabbed TCU right-hander Tommy LaPour.
That selection could end up looking like a bargain.
LaPour transferred to TCU from Wichita State for the 2025 season and immediately became the Horned Frogs’ top starter. He finished with a 3.09 ERA and 88 strikeouts across 16 starts, including a run of six quality starts. One of the best of those outings came against Baylor, when he nearly threw a complete game and struck out eight.
His work earned him Big 12 recognition, as he was named a 2025 Big 12 first-team pitcher and an All-Tournament player.
The expectations were high after that sophomore season, but LaPour’s year took a hit after his first start against Vanderbilt. Elbow soreness sidelined him for more than two months, and when he returned in late April, he logged 12 innings over five appearances.
Because TCU didn’t reach the NCAA Baseball Tournament, LaPour never got the volume he likely wanted. The injury pushed him down draft boards, but that also gave Minnesota a chance to land him in the fourth round.
At 21 years old and 6'4", LaPour brings a fastball that can reach 100 mph, along with a slider and changeup. He’s got the kind of energy that shows up on the mound, and his teammates clearly feed off it. The strikeout totals make his outings worth watching.
There’s still work to do with his mechanics, but the raw stuff is obvious. LaPour could eventually fit as a long-relief option, though he also has the traits to stay in a starting role. For a Twins system that needs more quality right-handed pitching prospects, this is the kind of pick that makes sense.
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