Kansas Jayhawks Baseball Success Launches Three Former Players Into MLB Draft 

The Kansas Jayhawks, who have been steadily on the rise since head coach Dan Fitzgerald took over the program just three years ago, finished one of their best seasons in school history in 2025.

The team’s 42 regular-season victories were a program record. There were many other records set this season, including most conference wins (20), most road wins (20), come-from-behind wins (26), and home runs hit (104). 

The successful season led to Fitzgerald signing a six-year extension with the Jayhawks and seeing Brady Ballinger and Jackson Hauge become All-Americans. Kansas had not had two All-Americans on the baseball diamond since 1996. It’s no surprise that this past season also led to a few Jayhawks being drafted by Major League Baseball teams this week. 

Brady Counsell, Alex Breckheimer, and Derek Cerda all had their names called during the MLB Draft earlier this week. Interestingly enough, all three of these former Jayhawks were part of the program for only one season. That demonstrates Fitzgerald’s ability to attract high-quality transfer players and elevate the program. Seeing three of those guys drafted is a great sign for Fitzgerald and the program as a whole. 

Counsell was selected in the 10th round (303 overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Counsell primarily played third base and won a Gold Glove with his fantastic defensive efforts this past season. He spent some time at second base and left field but was projected as a shortstop at the next level throughout the draft process. 

Coming out of high school, Counsell was the No. 2-rated shortstop in Wisconsin. He played three seasons at the University of Minnesota before joining the Jayhawks for his final collegiate season. His father, Craig Counsell, is a former Major League Baseball player and currently serves as the manager of the Chicago Cubs. The elder Counsell had two stints playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is also a two-time World Series champion. Brady is looking to follow in his father’s footsteps and will try to create his path at the next level. 

Breckheimer, a right-handed pitcher, was drafted in the 16th round (No. 480 overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals. Breckheimer was one of the best relievers in the Big 12 and still has one year of eligibility left. Initially, there was optimism that he might come back to play out his final collegiate season and work his way into the starting rotation, but now it is expected that he will take his talents to St. Louis. There, he will try to work his way through the Cardinals’ system as a relief pitcher. 

Breckheimer earned the nickname “Fridge” from his teammates due to his 6’5” and 270-pound frame. He also touched 98 miles per hour with his fastball. Breckheimer’s time with the Jayhawks was short-lived, but he should have a great chance to make a name for himself as a professional. 

Cerda was selected with the first pick in the 17th round (No. 496 overall) by the Chicago White Sox. Cerda was the starting center fielder for the Jayhawks and demonstrated a tremendous range during his time in Lawrence. He started 49-of-50 games for the Jayhawks and hit 10 home runs to go along with a team-leading 10 stolen bases. The White Sox organization has been a dumpster fire the last couple of seasons, but Cerda should be given an opportunity to work his way up through their system if given the proper time to develop. 

There were a handful of eligible players from last season’s Jayhawk squad to go undrafted, and it’s yet to be seen if any of them will try to continue their playing careers or move onto a different path in life. 

Last year’s season proved the Jayhawks can be competitive in the Big 12 again. With more players than ever before moving in and out of the transfer portal, showing a commitment to attracting top talent to Lawrence and helping them achieve their dreams by being drafted is a great sign for the program.