Draft‑Day Milestone for Kansas Baseball
Mathis Nayral, a junior right‑handed pitcher for the Kansas Jayhawks, heard his name called in the 13th round of the 2026 MLB Draft, landing a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Season Highlights
Across 17 starts and 18 appearances he posted a 4.96 ERA, compiled a 4‑3 record and struck out 71 batters in 69 innings, numbers that helped the team capture the Big 12 regular‑season and tournament titles and reach the NCAA super regional.
The selection marks the fourth Jayhawk to be chosen in this year's draft, underscoring the program's continued pipeline to the majors.
Coaching Perspective
Teammates Tyson LeBlanc, Dominic Voegele and Brady Ballinger also earned draft selections, with LeBlanc heading to the Detroit Tigers in the later rounds, Voegele joining the Baltimore Orioles after being picked in the third round, and Ballinger signing with Detroit as a seventh‑round pick.
Coach Dan Fitzgerald praised the group's work ethic, noting that the draft results reflect the program's emphasis on developing polished arms ready for professional competition.
With the Blue Jays' scouting department highlighting his poise and command, Nayral is expected to begin his professional journey in the minor leagues, where he will look to translate his collegiate success into future major‑league contributions.