A Draft Night to Remember
The Toronto Blue Jays added Oregon infielder Ryan Cooney to their organization with the 103rd overall pick in the third round of the 2026 MLB Draft, a moment that resonated through the Ducks’ clubhouse and the broader college baseball community.
Cooney’s name appeared among the most celebrated selections of the day, ranking as the sixth highest position player ever chosen from Oregon’s modern draft history and marking the fifth Oregon prospect taken in the third round of the MLB Draft in recent years.
The pick also placed him three slots behind 2013 draftee Ryon Healy, who was selected 100th overall, and eleven spots ahead of last year’s 114th‑overall choice, Mason Neviille, who went to the Cincinnati Reds.
A Legacy in the Making
Cooney joins a distinguished line of Ducks alumni who have reached the majors, including Tyler Anderson, David Peterson, Aaron Zavala, Ryne Nelson, Josh Kasevich, Madison Boer, Spencer Steer, Sabin Ceballos and Garrett Cleavinger, each of whom has carved out a niche in professional baseball.
The selection reflects the University of Oregon’s rising profile in player development, a trend that the school’s athletic department has cultivated through rigorous academics and a competitive Pac‑12 schedule.
Located in Eugene, Oregon, the program benefits from a fertile recruiting ground and a community that prizes both athletic excellence and scholarly achievement, a combination that has produced a steady stream of talent ready for the next level.