Former Butler pitcher Madden Clement, seen pitching in a high school game in 2023, was drafted in the 15th round of the MLB draft Sunday by Kansas City. Butler Eagle file photo
Another former Butler ace could start his professional baseball career this summer.
Madden Clement, who recently entered the transfer portal after spending the past three seasons at Virginia Tech, was taken in the 15th round of the 2026 MLB draft by Kansas City. He went 16th in the round and 449th overall.
That gives the Golden Tornado an incredible three draft picks this year, all pitchers, with possibly one more to come. Fellow Butler graduate David Leslie was taken by the New York Yankees in the ninth round, and recently graduated ace Kyle Casteel going to the Chicago White Sox in the 11th round. Casteel’s classmate, Nolan Stefaniak, also could hear his name called.
Related Article: MLB draft 2026: Butler ace Kyle Casteel goes to Chicago White Sox in 11th round, has decision to make
Related Article: MLB draft 2026: Butler’s David Leslie taken by Yankees in 9th round, capping winding career arc
The last Tornado drafted was in 2003, Jacob Cuffman, who went to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 14th round.
Clement, son of legendary Butler star and boys basketball coach Matt Clement and older brother of the recently graduated Mavrik Clement, posted a 3.95 ERA in 13.2 innings while striking out 13 and walking nine in eight appearances as a college junior.
Matt Clement is considered the best pro player to come out of Butler, drafted in 1993 by the San Diego Padres. He enjoyed a long career in baseball, eventually becoming an All-Star with the Boston Red Sox in 2005.
Madden Clement, a 6-foot-3 left-handed junior, still has at least a year of NCAA eligibility left after staying with the Hokies just three seasons and has the choice to turn pro or return to college. He entered the transfer portal in June.
He missed more than a year of college ball with a throwing arm injury, making just one appearance in 2025 before being shut down until his return this year on April 7, when he threw 1/3 of an inning, walked three, gave up a run and got a strikeout. He’s currently pitching for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod League, a summer prospects league that has produced numerous pros.