Dylan Becker (photo/MSU Athletics)
Former Missouri State baseball standout Dylan Becker agreed to terms on a free agent deal with the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, becoming the fifth Bear to sign a professional contract since the completion of MSU’s record-setting 2015 campaign. Becker, who was selected by his teammates as the Bears’ A.E. “Ted” Willis Award winner as the club’s most valuable player in 2015, is expected to begin his pro career with the Cardinals’ rookie-level Gulf Coast League squad.
A four-year letterwinner for the Bears, Becker was named an MVC Scholar-Athlete for the third consecutive season after helping anchor Missouri State’s infield and filling the role of offensive catalyst from the leadoff spot throughout MSU’s 49-12 campaign this spring. After starting all 57 games at third base in 2014, Becker filled a need at second base this spring after Eric Cheray went down with an injury. The Leawood, Kan., product registered a .976 fielding percentage to help the Bears establish a program record for team fielding, in addition to posting career-best numbers in nearly every offensive category, including hitting .309 and logging a .455 on-base percentage that ranked fourth overall in the Valley.
An honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Conference choice and MVC Championship All-Tournament Team selection, Becker set a Bears single-season record with 55 walks this season to rank third in all of Division I baseball and concluded his career third on MSU’s all-time walks list (124). Becker was named Missouri State’s Bill Rowe Male Student-Athlete of the Year in May and earned the MVC President’s Council Academic Excellence Award as well.
Becker joins four of his 2015 teammates in the professional ranks, following the signings of Matt Hall (Detroit), Jon Harris (Toronto), Joey Hawkins (St. Louis) and Tate Matheny (Boston). He becomes the 134th Bear to sign a professional contract over the 52-year history of Missouri State’s varsity program, including 114 under head coach Keith Guttin.
Story courtesy-MSU Athletics
