The 2026 baseball season is already two months old, and the ripple effect of Maryland's recent college successes is evident across the nation's professional circuits. Former Terps talent is not only earning regular‑season spots but also contributing meaningfully to their respective clubs.
At the heart of the Chicago Cubs' lineup, Matt Shaw is carving out a solid role, batting .242 with 23 hits, six doubles, three home runs, 12 RBIs, 10 runs scored and three stolen bases. His steady production exemplifies the kind of well‑rounded skill set that Maryland coaches have long emphasized.
Another former Terp, Brandon Lowe, is delivering a breakout year for the Pittsburgh Pirates, posting a .270 average with 51 hits, 12 doubles, a triple, 13 home runs, 33 RBIs and 32 runs scored. Lowe's power surge and on‑base consistency have helped the Pirates climb early in the National League Central.
On the pitching side, Sean Burke has settled into a reliable starter role for the Chicago White Sox, posting a 3.90 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and 54 strikeouts over 60 innings. His ability to limit baserunners while generating swing‑and‑misses underscores the depth of Maryland‑produced arms in the majors.
Minor League Highlights
In the International League, LaMonte Wade Jr. continues to showcase his plate discipline, slashing .259/.423/.446 with six homers, 24 RBIs and 25 runs scored for the Triple‑A Charlotte Knights. Meanwhile, Kyle McCoy has been a workhorse for the Cincinnati Reds organization, compiling a 3.14 ERA, 28 strikeouts and a 1.40 WHIP across 28.2 innings.
Relief pitcher Jose Cuas has been equally impressive for the Omaha Storm Chasers, maintaining a 2.45 ERA, 25 strikeouts and a 1.23 WHIP over 22 innings. The Storm Chasers also benefit from the bat of Ben Cowles, who is hitting .258 with 24 hits, three homers, 18 RBIs, 17 runs scored and six stolen bases for the Iowa Cubs.
Additional Maryland alumni making noise across the developmental tiers include Ryan Ramsey (5.44 ERA, 40 strikeouts for Omaha), Nick Lorusso (31 hits, eight homers, 20 RBIs for Binghamton), Jason Savacool (8.10 ERA, 16 strikeouts in 16.2 innings at Peoria), Nick Dean (4.67 ERA, 33 strikeouts for Knoxville), Nigel Belgrave (four saves, 7.52 ERA for Pensacola), Luke Shliger (.270 average, eight RBIs for West Michigan) and Logan Berrier (3.27 ERA, one save, 21 strikeouts for West Michigan). Their diverse contributions reflect the breadth of opportunities available to former Terps in today's baseball landscape.
The early returns suggest that Maryland's baseball program continues to produce players capable of competing at the highest levels, both as everyday contributors and as impact specialists. As the season progresses, these alumni will likely become even more integral to their teams' ambitions, keeping the Terps presence strong on the diamond.