The 2026 baseball season has reached its midpoint, and former University of Maryland players are among the storylines across the national pastime.
Midseason Spotlight: Maryland Alumni in Action
Brandon Lowe, once a power threat for the Terrapins, now patrols the outfield for the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he is batting .247 with 21 home runs and 64 RBIs.
The Pirates’ lineup also features contributions from other alumni, but Lowe’s blend of power and on‑base skill has kept him in the middle of the order.
Matt Shaw, a former Terrapin infielder, began the year with a .246 average, four homers and 20 RBIs for the Chicago Cubs before a shoulder injury landed him on the disabled list.
The injury opened a pathway for younger arms, and the Cubs have promoted several prospects from their farm system to fill the gap.
Sean Burke, another Maryland alumnus, has been a workhorse for the Chicago White Sox, posting a 3.56 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 2026, anchoring a rotation that has climbed into contention.
The White Sox have leaned on Burke’s consistency, and his recent stretch of five consecutive quality starts has sparked talk of a possible All‑Star selection.
In Houston, LaMonte Wade Jr., who transferred from Maryland to the Astros’ system, exploded for a .333 average with a home run and four RBIs in his first four games before a hamstring issue forced a stint on the injured list.
The Astros have responded by promoting Wade to their Triple‑A affiliate, where he continues to showcase the contact hitting that made him a standout at Maryland.
Kansas City Royals reliever Jose Cuas, a former Terrapin, has posted a 3.60 ERA with six strikeouts across three relief appearances, providing depth to a bullpen that has been shuffled by injuries.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s minor‑league arm Kyle McCoy has compiled a 3.03 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 59.1 innings for the Reds’ farm clubs, a performance that earned him a recent call‑up to the majors.
In the Mets organization, Ben Cowles is batting .254 with four homers and 28 RBIs for the Triple‑A Syracuse club, keeping his hopes of a big‑league debut alive.
Ryan Ramsey, another Maryland product, endures a tougher stretch in Triple‑A Omaha, where a 5.45 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 72.2 innings have placed him on the Royals’ watch list for potential roster moves.
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the Double‑A affiliate of the New York Mets, feature Nick Lorusso, who is hitting .236 with 14 homers and 42 RBIs, contributing to the club’s offensive resurgence.
St. Louis Cardinals prospect Jason Savacool, a Maryland alum, has a 4.68 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 25 innings for the High‑A team, showing the same poise that earned him a scholarship in College Park.
Nick Dean, another former Terrapin, has a 3.77 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 45.1 innings for the Cubs’ Double‑A squad, a performance that has kept him on the radar for a possible September call‑up.
Miami’s Double‑A club, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, rely on Nigel Belgrave, who holds a 6.14 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 36.2 innings, as a swing‑man who can eat innings when the rotation is thin.
Detroit’s High‑A affiliates showcase Luke Shliger, batting .243 with three homers and 18 RBIs, while Logan Berrier, also a Terrapin, has recorded 34 strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA in 35 innings for the same level.
Across the country, these former Maryland players illustrate the breadth of talent that the university has produced, from power hitters to reliable relievers, and their performances will likely shape the remainder of the 2026 season.