LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Kam Durnin, an alum from Camdenton High School, was drafted to the Houston Astros in the fourth round of the MLB Draft last weekend.Â
Durnin graduated with the class of 2023 and went to Wichita State to play baseball before transferring to Mizzou. He was named the 2025 Appalachian League Player of the Year, and led the Tigers' offense last season with nine homers, 25 RBIs, and a .329 batting average.Â
"We were really, really surprised that he was available for us to select in the fourth round," Astros amateur scoring director Cam Pendino said in an MLB article by Brian McTaggart. "He came to Chicago [pre-Draft workout] and put on a show. He's athletic. We view him as a real shortstop, like a real Major League shortstop. We put a high bar internally on how we grade out shortstops, and we give that kid a very good chance to be really quality Major League shortstop."
Despite missing the first dozen games due to an injury, Mizzou said Durnin ranked second on the squad with the team-best of 11 stolen bases, 52 hits, and elite defense (.974).Â
"He's got a really good approach and swing decisions, and he's got burgeoning power," Pendino added. "We were really taken aback he was there in the fourth round and we were really excited to take him."Â
The Camdenton R-III School District, where both his parents work, congratulated Durnin on his success, "From Camdenton to professional baseball, Kam has put in the work every step of the way. We can't wait to see where this next chapter takes him."
"I know a lot of little Lake Boys are excited right now," said Austin Walker, the new Assistant Principal and Activities Director at Camdenton Middle School. "A hometown idol is in the big leagues."
In addition to being the 121st overall pick, Durnin recently became engaged to Sydney Worde, who played collegiate volleyball. The couple shared the news before the draft on July 11.Â
