As we enter the second day of the 2025 MLB draft, there’s a wave of excitement rolling through the Yankees camp. And it has everything to do with a left-handed pitcher from Mississippi State whose journey has been anything but ordinary. With the 134th overall pick in the fourth round, the Yankees selected Pico Kohn, a name well-known to SEC baseball fans. And he’s quickly gaining recognition across the nation.
A native of Verbena, Alabama, Kohn earned his stripes as Mississippi State’s Friday night ace by overcoming adversity that could have derailed his career. From bullpen duties as a freshman in 2022 to undergoing Tommy John surgery that wiped out his 2023 season, Kohn’s path back to the mound was steep and uncertain. But he returned stronger in 2024. Notably, he put up a 3.38 ERA across limited appearances and proved he was once again a force on the mound.
Now, as we celebrate his climb to professional baseball, it’s time to look beyond the stats and accolades. Let’s take a look at the foundation on which his success was built: his parents, Andrew and Kim Kohn, the true pillars behind his rise.
Who are Pico Kohn’s Parents?
Pico’s full name is William Kohn, but just about everyone knows him as Pico. But you know, his nickname actually goes all the way back to when he was a toddler. Reportedly, when his parents were teaching him to say his name, he kept insisting it wasn’t William, it was Pico. From there on, the name just stuck. So, Pico was born to the household of Andrew and Kim Kohn. While there isn’t much out there about what his parents do for a living, one thing is clear: they’ve played a huge role in shaping his baseball journey.
NCAA, College League, USA Baseball 2025: Mississippi St. Vs LSU MAR 28 March 28, 2025: Mississippi St. starting pitcher Pico Kohn (9) delivers a pitch to the plate during NCAA Baseball action between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field in Baton Rouge, LA. Jonathan Mailhes CSM (Credit Image: Â Jonathan Mailhes Cal Media) Baton Rouge La USA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20250328_zma_c04_465.jpg Jonathan Mailhes csmphotothree370485
It was their decision to send Pico Kohn to Chilton County High School, and that move has clearly paid off. He made his presence felt on the mound for years there. As a sophomore, he put up a flawless 10-0 record with an incredible 0.09 ERA. He struck out 125 batters over 79 innings. Clearly, Kohn’s strong foundation in the game comes from the steady support and guidance of his parents.
Pico Kohn’s relationship with his parents
Pico Kohn’s baseball journey has clearly been shaped and supported by his parents from the very beginning. Now that his hard work is paying off, there’s no doubt about the strength of their relationship. According to the reports, Kohn grew up in a loving, close-knit home, and by all accounts, had a happy and healthy childhood. Pico has even mentioned wanting to help his family out, which speaks volumes about how much they mean to him.
“I always wanted to try to do something to help my family out,” Kohn said. “If I do have the chance to make money from it someday, I will help my family out tremendously.”
That strong family connection seems to have had a positive ripple effect on his social life, too. Pico is a member of his local church and has been involved in the upliftment of homeless people in New Orleans. It’s clear that Pico’s sense of compassion and responsibility was shaped not just by his upbringing, but by the people who raised him. A gentle reminder of how a good and healthy relationship with the parents can make wonder.
Pico Kohn’s College Stats at Mississippi State
Pico Kohn spent three seasons at Mississippi State from 2022 to 2024, and his time there was a mix of challenges and standout moments. Starting in 2022 as a freshman, Pico appeared in 21 games and made only two starts. It was an average affair for him in the first year with a 4.91 ERA across 36.2 innings and 35 SOs. Still, it was a learning year that laid the groundwork for the pitcher he would become.
However, light came down the next year. Yes, 2023 was a tough year, as he missed the entire season due to Tommy John surgery, forcing him to sit out and recover. But wait, there’s more.
In 2024, he made nine appearances, starting in eight of those games. Pico Kohn wrapped up the season with a 1-1 record and a solid 3.38 ERA over 29.1 innings. One of Kohn’s most impressive performances came in the NCAA Charlottesville Regional, where he pitched a career-long seven innings and notched a career-high eight strikeouts against Virginia. Hence, an improving stat for the kid.
Why the Yankees drafted Pico Kohn in 2025
Left-handed pitchers are always valuable, and the Yankees have a long history of favoring southpaws who can generate swings and misses and go deep into games. Remember Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia? That’s exactly the kind of pitcher Pico Kohn is shaping up to be. Standing at 6-foot-5, Kohn has the kind of frame teams love. And if you checked any of his games, you know how his downhill delivery gets tough on left-handed hitters.
Moreover, in his early 20s, there’s still a lot of upside with Kohn. His command has gotten better, his strikeout numbers have stayed consistent, and there’s plenty of room for growth, especially with his offspeed stuff. Now, with pro-level coaching, his slider and changeup could really take the next step. The Yankees likely see him as a pitcher they can mold into either a solid back-end starter or possibly a high-leverage bullpen option.
With Pico Kohn, the Yankees have added one of the best fireball throwers from college baseball. It will be worth watching him develop further under the Yankees’ farm system.
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