Kenny Piper ’20 enjoyed a mountaintop moment Monday, Aug. 3, at Coors Field in Denver.
The 28-year-old catcher earned a call-up to the Tampa Bay Rays for their game against the Colorado Rockies. Hours later, he became the first Columbia College graduate to appear in a Major League Baseball game.
Now, he is also the first Cougar alumnus to record an MLB hit and score a run.
“This is something that I’ve dreamt of my whole life,” Piper told the Tampa Bay Times before starting behind the plate and catching all nine innings. “It feels very surreal.”
Piper walked in his first plate appearance and came around to score, helping fuel a 13-9 victory for the Rays, who hold the best record in the American League.
He singled on the first pitch he saw in the ninth inning to cap an evening he won’t soon forget.
A native of Florissant, Missouri, Piper played at Columbia College from 2017 to 2021, serving as a centerpiece in the Cougars’ lineup. He starred behind the plate, throwing out more than 60 percent of would-be base stealers.
“Kenny Piper epitomizes everything you want in a teammate and leader,” said Columbia College head baseball coach Darren Munns.
The NAIA All-American became the second Columbia College player selected in the MLB Draft when his name was called by the Rays in the 18th round in 2021, joining Andrew Warner (40th round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018).
Over the past several seasons, Piper has progressed through the Rays’ minor league system. In 2026, he has played for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, batting .253 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs before earning his promotion to the majors.
Even amid this week’s whirlwind, Piper’s rise to the big leagues was many years in the making in the eyes of his supporters back in Columbia, Missouri.
“I was blessed and privileged to coach him for five years at Columbia College,” Munns said of Piper. “I also give our associate head coach Craig ‘Boomer’ McAndrews ample credit for Kenny’s development as a player and, most importantly, as a person.
“We are extremely proud of Kenny becoming a big leaguer. His dedication, work ethic and perseverance have made his dream a reality. Roll Cougs!”
