There are 33 former OSU Beavers playing pro baseball in the United States right now, with nine in the majors and the rest spread across minor league systems. This is the first installment of a weekly look at the best recent performances from that group.
Drew Rasmussen is setting the pace. The 30-year-old right-hander from Puyallup, WA, was coming off an All-Star season last year, and he’s been even sharper in 2026.
On Sunday against the Diamondbacks, Rasmussen turned in another dominant outing for Tampa Bay, throwing six shutout innings in a 5-1 win. That came on the heels of a strong start just a week and a half earlier, when he held the MLB-best Dodgers to one run over seven innings.
With the Rays sitting in first place in the AL East, Rasmussen has been a major part of why they’re there.
Trevor Larnach is making noise for Minnesota, too. The 2018 CWS champion put together a big weekend against the Colorado Rockies, collecting six hits over the three-game series.
Saturday was his loudest game of the set, when he went 3-for-3 with three RBIs. He’s not driving the ball with the kind of power people might expect from him, but he’s been one of the more efficient hitters in the league this season, batting just under .290.
Larnach will try to keep the streak going Monday against the Astros.
Michael Conforto has been steady for the Cubs in his 12th MLB season, and Chicago’s place in postseason position only adds to the value of his production. Before yesterday’s outing, the 2017 All-Star had hit safely in four straight games, a stretch that included a pinch-hit homer in Saturday’s win over the Brewers. Conforto now has 184 career home runs.
In Triple-A, Jacob Melton has been on a tear for the Bulls after spending time in the majors last season with Houston. He went 3-for-4 yesterday and added a 2-for-4 effort earlier in the week, pushing his June batting line to an eye-catching .522. If he keeps that up, a return to The Show could come sooner rather than later.
At Double-A, Braden Arquette has started to heat up after a quiet stretch. The top-ten draft pick from last summer has found his power stroke for Pensacola, homering three times in the last five games while collecting six hits in that span. Arquette is currently rated as the third-highest prospect in Miami’s organization.
In Other News...
Why Daniel Matagi Could Change Oregon State's Biggest Defensive Concern
Daniel Matagi spent spring camp showing Oregon State exactly why his move from Portland State matters, and it starts with the kind of interior presence the Beavers have been looking to firm up. The defensive lineman looked like more than just another transfer in practices, bringing a heavy frame, active hands and enough energy to stand out during open viewing as he worked into the mix on the defensive front.
For a team trying to settle its biggest defensive concern, Matagi offers a body type and style that fit the job description. He is expected to be part of the defensive tackle rotation heading into fall camp, with the chance to give the Beavers more substance against the run and help keep opposing offenses from leaning on the middle of the line. If his spring momentum carries over, Oregon State may have found a player ready for a much larger role than just depth. [Read more 🡒]