In 2018, Loftin's freshman year at Baylor, he appeared in 55 games (making 53 starts), batting .306 with six home runs and 36 RBIs, earning Freshman All-American honors alongside being named to the Big 12 Conference All-Second Team and All-Freshman Team.[5][6] As a sophomore in 2019, Loftin started 53 games in which he hit .323 with six home runs, 41 RBIs, and 18 doubles.[7][8] He was named to the All-Big 12 First Team.[9] That summer, he played for both the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League and for the United States collegiate national baseball team.[10][11][12][13][14] Prior to Loftin's junior year in 2020, he was named the Big 12 Conference Preseason Player of the Year.[15][16][17] Over 14 games for his junior season, he batted .298 with two home runs and 15 RBIs before the college baseball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professional career
The Kansas City Royals selected Loftin with the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.[18] On June 23, 2020, Loftin signed with the Royals on a $3 million signing bonus.[19] He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the pandemic.[20]
Loftin returned to Omaha to open the 2023 season.[25] In 82 games for Triple–A Omaha, he batted .270/.344/.444 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI. On September 1, 2023, Loftin was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[26] He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Surprise Saguaros.[27]
On May 31, 2024, Loftin pitched a scoreless ninth inning in relief during a blowout against the San Diego Padres.