What’s next for KU baseball, Part 1: Who can come back?

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas sophomore Brady Ballinger and the rest of the Jayhawks wore special uniforms for the Buck O'Neil Classic against Missouri at Hoglund Ballpark Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Kansas coach Dan Fitzgerald’s first two seasons at the helm suggested incremental progress each year, but in 2025 the Jayhawks took a significant leap forward.

Relying on a team essentially built from scratch after the 2024 MLB Draft derailed some of KU’s plans for its 2025 roster, Fitzgerald and his staff led one of the best seasons in program history, which included records for conference victories and overall road victories, not to mention the first trip to an NCAA regional since 2014 — even if the actual two-day visit to Baum-Walker Stadium ended in disappointment.

“I think getting to the NCAA Tournament is a very visible step,” Fitzgerald said on Saturday after the season-ending 4-3 loss to North Dakota State. “I think it was important that we did that, just to validate the work and everything that’s gone into it, and really exciting. I think if you ask the guys on that bus right now or back at the hotel, I think none of them would be surprised by it … I say that to say a new bar has been set now in terms of what we’re shooting for. I think the tangible piece of doing it gives belief, like ‘Guys, we’ve done this before.'”

Fan interest in Jayhawk baseball was at its highest point in a long time in 2025 as the team set attendance records and drew national attention. Junior-college transfers like Brady Ballinger and Dariel Osoria and unheralded additions from four-year schools like Jackson Hauge became household names and national leaders in various statistical categories as the centerpieces of KU’s high-powered lineup.

And while Big 12 Preseason Pitcher of the Year Dominic Voegele didn’t always live up to billing, he mustered several rock-solid outings later in the year and combined with fellow sophomore Cooper Moore to make for a potent Friday-Saturday duo. KU’s relief pitching, especially middle relief, cost it some games over the course of the long season, but Alex Breckheimer was a great discovery who embraced the closer role and vexed hitters with his fastball, often for multiple innings at a time. He finished with a 3.56 ERA on and seven saves.

Last season, the Jayhawks had a whopping six players drafted and two more sign as undrafted free agents, making for eight overall departures for the professional ranks, six of which came from players who still had remaining collegiate eligibility. They also had a potential incoming transfer from Cal Baptist decide instead to sign with the Baltimore Orioles.

This year, KU could potentially have a higher proportion of its drafted players come from the ranks of graduating seniors, but there are still some younger Jayhawks who could receive professional opportunities.

First of all, the full list of Jayhawks who went through senior-day festivities includes a large contingent of this year’s starters. The seniors honored were Tommy Barth, Gavin Brasosky, Michael Brooks, Brady Counsell, Jake Cubbler, Chase Diggins, Ian Francis, Hauge, Robbie Knowles, Mike Koszewski, Eric Lin, Connor Maggi, Brigden Parker, Sawyer Smith, Thaniel Trumper and Malakai Vetock.

Barth, Brooks, Counsell, Francis, Hauge and Smith accounted for two thirds of KU’s high-octane, very consistent starting lineup (including both corner outfield spots and every infield position but first base). Fitzgerald previously said he believed Brooks would have been drafted last year if not for a hand injury. Hauge ranked as the league leader in home runs for much of the season.

Diggins and Koszewski served primarily as defensive replacements down the stretch but still saw significant action, and Diggins in particular still started 33 games while demonstrating versatility as both a middle infielder and catcher.

On the pitching side, Brasosky was largely a situational arm but played his role well and did not allow a run in his first eight appearances of the year. Trumper and Vetock occupied various roles in middle relief and Lin was a back-end option, though their stats don’t necessarily leap off the page.

What becomes more complicated in determining an outlook for 2026 is trying to project which Jayhawks with remaining eligibility could potentially turn pro.

While Voegele is still too young to go to the draft, Moore is a leading candidate. Despite having played just two years in college, he is eligible for the draft because he turns 21 by Aug. 1. After establishing himself as a strong relief option during his freshman year, he moved into a starting role in 2025 and handled it with aplomb. He usually went deep into games, even if he gave up runs in early innings, and generated frequent ground balls with his sinker. He finished the year with a 3.96 ERA and 85 strikeouts to 19 walks and a second-team all-conference selection.

Osoria, one of KU’s leaders in batting average at .324 with nine home runs and 47 RBIs, just completed his junior year, as did Derek Cerda, a gifted defensive center fielder who also provides speed on the base paths and unexpected power at the plate. Hypothetically, if they were both to turn pro, the Jayhawks would essentially have to replace 10 of their top 11 position players next year — though arguably the best of all, the first baseman Ballinger, a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, doesn’t turn 21 until May 2026. He left junior college after just one season to join KU.

Other potential returnees of note in the field include Max Soliz Jr. and Ty Wisdom. Soliz, a power-hitting junior catcher who previously played at Arkansas and Chattahoochee Valley Community College, didn’t maintain his early-season starting spot. He did hit one of the five straight home runs the Jayhawks compiled at Minnesota on March 12. Wisdom, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, was a regular starter in right field as a freshman in 2024 but got squeezed out of regular action in his second season. TJ Williams and Kaiden Ashton served as adept pinch runners, with Williams responsible for bits of heads-up baserunning that led directly to KU winning at least two games, but rarely swung a bat. Brady Blake also made a few scattered appearances, and freshman Xander Schmitt did not play.

In terms of relief pitchers with remaining eligibility, several of whom got drafted and signed last year, the standout is Breckheimer with his imposing frame and high-90s fastball.

Manning West had good moments as a middle reliever, as did Kannon Carr as the Sunday starter. Dalton Smith was on the watchlist for NCBWA Stopper of the Year prior to the season but never found consistent form.

Starting option Patrick Steitz, who was excellent to open 2024 but underwent Tommy John surgery, got off to another great start to 2025 as KU eased him back into action, but then didn’t play again after, for the second straight year, six games — even though Fitzgerald suggested he could have been available for the postseason.

Kasey Crawford showed promise in five shutout appearances. Naun Haro struggled in his occasional moments on the mound, and several other pitchers KU added during the 2024 offseason didn’t play at all, including JUCO transfers Maddox Burkitt, Porter Conn (who has already said he’s entering the portal) and Brian Hallum and freshmen Jeremy Allen and Blake O’Brien.

Some combination of the above players — as last year demonstrated, no one, not even the staff, will know exactly who until after the draft wraps up on July 15 in Atlanta — will serve as the returning core as KU looks to build on its historic 2025 campaign. Hauge said he thinks Ballinger, Osoria and Voegele could be among the team leaders in 2026.

“I’m really excited to see the next wave, and it’s fun to be on the front half, and it’ll be fun to follow for years to come,” Hauge said.

Added Brooks: “I think the years to come are going to be tremendous.”

photo by: AP Photo/Michael Woods

Kansas pitcher Dominic Voegele (12) throws a pitch against Creighton during an NCAA regional baseball game on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark.

photo by: Big 12 Conference

Kansas’ Cooper Moore pitches against TCU on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas pitcher Alex Breckheimer winds up during the game against Oklahoma State on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.

photo by: AP Photo/Michael Woods

Kansas batter Dariel Osoria (23) rounds the baases after hitting a home run against Creighton during an NCAA regional baseball game on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark.