Proud moments for Kansas baseball, as three Jayhawks (Brady Counsell, Alex Breckheimer, and Derek Cerda) were selected in the 2025 MLB Draft. Events such as this rarely ever occur, especially for a team that finished last in the Big 12. This stands as a testament to the team’s progress under head coach Dan Fitzgerald since 2022.

Heading into the NCAA College World Series, the Jayhawks were already among the favorites as they capped off an amazing performance. As three Jayhawks head over to the MLB, life will, of course, be very different for them now. The best offshore sportsbooks echo most major local ones and see the Dodgers currently as +225 favorites to win the World Series for a second year running. A different cauldron of pressure altogether for the rookies, time will tell how the Jayhawks trio will fare now as MLB players.

The order in which the players were picked is rather interesting. Counsell was picked in the 10th round by the Diamondbacks (303rd overall). Breckheimer followed in the 16th round to the Cardinals, who are known for their pitching development. And Cerda went in the 17th to the White Sox, a club that is all about speed and defensive prowess. It’s not just about where they went, but about how they got there:

• Counsell, a Gold Glove infielder who became the first Kansas player in school history to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

• Breckheimer, who’s a dominant closer with a live arm and JUCO roots, was lights out when it mattered.

• And Cerda was a speedster with elite defense and steady on-base numbers…he was the kind of player that kept opponents honest every single inning.

With Breckheimer and Cerda still holding eligibility, there’s a small window where they could return, depending on how the signing bonus talks and NIL deals pan out. Councell’s 10th-round slot value could be around $188,300, while Breckheimer and Cerda (both picked after the 10th round) could be looking at up to $150,000 unless their respective teams opt to go ‘over slot’ by dipping into their overall bonus pool. But insiders expect both to sign, especially following the noise around Kansas’ growing pipeline to the pros.

The response around the league has been mostly positive, especially when you consider the time at which all of this is happening. After a 43-17 season (the second-highest win total in program history) Kansas returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014 and notched a Big 12-best 20 conference wins.

Fitzgerald walked away with Big 12 Coach of the Year honors, and it’s not hard to see why. In a recent interview, he commented on the impaact of having players’ drafted. Far from seeing it as losing stars, he recognizes that it’s a sign of a program that’s working.

The idea of three players being picked in one draft and nine over two seasons marks a turning point for the team that used to fly under the radar. The Jayhawks’ recent draft history also says something about their progression in the league. Kansas has now had three top 10 round picks over the last two years, and a record number of total selections during that span.

What stands out even more is where many of these players came from. JUCO transfers like Breckheimer and Cerda adapted and developed fast, and now head into the next level just as quickly. It speaks volumes about the player development focus that Fitzgerald and his staff have doubled down on. A lot of people are already looking ahead to how these players transition into the minors and how Kansas keeps this momentum going. The draft results are just another sign that Kansas baseball is becoming more of a breeding ground for pro-level talent.

Coach Fitzgerald obviously had a few things to say about his chosen warriors. The coach’s comment on Cerda was all positive as he praised his dedication and abilities He also mentioned what a complete player he is and how any squad would want a player like him.

Counsell’s leadership and production, Breckheimer’s ability to close out tough games, and Cerda’s disruptive speed made them cornerstones of the Jayhawks’ 2025 run. Now, with these three names called in a single draft, Kansas baseball has officially turned the page. The Jayhawks aren’t just sending players to the draft, they’re doing it consistently and with purpose. With this latest trio making the leap, Kansas has made it loud and clear that the next wave of talent isn’t coming…it’s already here.