Former Butler pitcher Madden Clement, seen here pitching for Virginia Tech, was drafted Sunday, July 12, 2026, by the Kansas City Royals in the MLB draft. Submitted photo

In what has become a banner day for the program, 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.

“It was a big sigh of relief,” he said.

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 was also a prospect but was not selected after 20 rounds and will be eligible again in three years.

Clement, son of legendary Butler star and boys basketball coach Matt Clement and older brother of the recently graduated and WPIAL champion 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.

“It’s pretty cool,” Madden Clement said. “He had a great career, but at the same time (I have my own career).”

He said it was never difficult to live out of his dad’s shadow and said his dad was always supportive and encouraging.

Clement, a 6-foot-3 left-handed junior, still has at least a year of NCAA eligibility left after three years with the Hokies but said he’s “pretty set” on turning pro. He’ll head to the Royals’ facility in Arizona in the coming weeks.

He said the Royals showed the most interest in him of any team he talked to during the draft process and “they like that I have projectability to start. I came off pretty smoothly from an injury,” and they liked that.

Clement missed more than a year of college ball with a flexor strain in his throwing arm, making just one appearance in 2025 before being shut down. Clement said Sunday he tried to rehab the injury for several months but eventually underwent internal brace surgery on June 20, 2025.

“It was long, it was more of a mental battle more than anything else,” he said. “One, it’s not very fun, but two, it’s also motivating.”

Clement made his return this year April 7, when he threw 1/3 of an inning, walked three, gave up a run and got a strikeout. He said after talking to people who have undergone the procedure he knows it’s typically about 18 months until full recovery, and he’s pleased with his progress so far.

Clement said he throws three pitches: a fastball sitting between 90-92 mph, a curveball and a change-up. He’s tinkering with a cutter/slider as a fourth pitch.

“It’s kind of relieving to know after all that hard work (and rehab) … it was all worth it,” Clement said. “It just makes you feel so much better.”