Dee Kennedy, a junior shortstop from Fort Worth, Texas, was named to the ABCA/Rawlings Third Team All-American squad for the 2026 season, capping a breakout year that saw him lead the Kansas State Wildcats in nearly every offensive category.
A Season of Milestones
His .357 batting average, .461 on-base percentage and .733 slugging percentage placed him at the top of the team, while his 20 home runs and 22 stolen bases marked the first 20-home-run, 20-stolen-base season by a Wildcat in program history.
Kennedy’s impact extended beyond raw numbers. He collected 79 hits, drove in 69 runs and scored 70 times, adding 19 doubles, three triples and a school-record 20 home runs. His 40 extra-base hits rank second all-time in K-State single-season records, and he earned five Player of the Week honors.
The accolades kept coming, as he was also selected Second Team All-American by the NCBWA and Perfect Game, earned ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Region status, and secured First Team All-Big 12 recognition. Midseason nods from D1Baseball and Perfect Game further highlighted his consistent excellence.
K-State’s performance mirrored Kennedy’s rise, as the Wildcats posted a 30-27 overall record and an 11-19 mark in Big 12 play, securing their fourth consecutive 30-win season — the longest streak in school history. The achievement underscores the program’s sustained competitiveness under coach Pete Hughes.
With his blend of power, speed and on-base skill, Kennedy now joins an elite group of four national players who posted a 20-home-run, 20-stolen-base season in 2026, cementing his place among the most dynamic collegiate hitters of his era.