The St. Louis Cardinals continued to bolster their bullpen depth on Day 2 of the 2026 MLB Draft, selecting right-handed pitcher Nick Bonn out of Cal Poly with the 294th overall pick in the 10th round.
Bonn, a 6-foot-1, 160-pound senior from Laguna Beach, Calif., emerged as one of the nation’s most reliable closers in 2026. He led all NCAA Division I hurlers with 17 saves while making a team-high 28 relief appearances for the Mustangs. In 49⅔ innings, the slender right-hander posted a 3.44 ERA, striking out 50 batters against 21 walks.
His performance earned him a spot as a finalist for the 2026 NBCWA Stopper of the Year Award, honoring the top relief pitcher in the country, as well as selection to the Perfect Game All-American Third Team. Bonn also earned a place on the Big West Championship All-Tournament Team.
Bonn’s college career took him on an unconventional route. He began at Pepperdine, where he appeared in 19 games (two starts) as a freshman in 2023, going 5-1 with a 6.27 ERA in 33 innings. As a sophomore in 2024, he made 13 starts as the Waves’ Friday night ace but struggled to a 1-7 record and 6.54 ERA in 75⅔ innings.
He transferred to Dallas Baptist for his junior season in 2025, shifting primarily to relief with 15 appearances (1-3, 10.24 ERA in 19⅓ innings). After one more summer in the California Collegiate League, Bonn landed at Cal Poly for his senior year, where the move paid immediate dividends.
Scouts see significant upside in Bonn’s arm talent despite his listed frame. He sits 95-97 mph with his fastball and has been clocked as high as 98-100 mph, giving him premium velocity for a college reliever. His primary breaking pitch is a sweeper in the low-to-mid 80s that has shown the ability to miss bats consistently. He also mixes in a splitter, rounding out a three-pitch mix that should translate well to the professional game.
Bonn’s slender build (160 pounds) raises questions about durability and long-term projection, but his late-blooming success as a closer suggests a polished competitor ready for the next level. The Cardinals, who have prioritized arm talent and character in this draft, view him as a high-upside relief prospect with the potential to move quickly through the system.
Bonn’s favorite major leaguer growing up was former Cardinals outfielder Peter Bourjos, adding a nice personal touch to his selection by the Redbirds. Off the field, the California native trains in Muay Thai, hopes to one day become a fish and game warden, and plans to train in jiu-jitsu. He enjoys watching UFC, spending time at the beach, and indulging in sweets.
He is the son of Robert and Maria Bonn and has one brother, Will, who played baseball at Concordia University Irvine.
The Cardinals drafted Bonn with signing scout Mike Garciaparra, and the pick carries a slot value of $197,400. As a senior, he is expected to sign relatively quickly, providing the organization with additional flexibility in its draft pool.
With a power arm, proven closing experience at the highest level of college baseball, and a competitive makeup forged through multiple program changes, Nick Bonn represents an intriguing addition to the Cardinals’ pitching pipeline. St. Louis continues its draft strategy of targeting high-character, high-ceiling arms who can contribute to a deep and versatile bullpen in the years ahead.
Welcome to the Cardinals, Nick Bonn.
