The results of one of the most successful seasons in Kansas baseball history continued to roll in on Monday afternoon, when three Jayhawks who played key roles on the 2025 KU team were drafted by Major League Baseball clubs.
Infielder/utility man Brady Counsell, the son of former big leaguer Craig Counsell, who now manages the Chicago Cubs, was the first off the board, going No. 303 overall in the 10th round to the same Arizona Diamondbacks team that his father once played for.
He becomes the third Kansas player in the past two drafts to be selected in the 10th round or higher, joining reliever Hunter Cranton (3rd round in 2024) and infielder Kodey Shojinaga (6th round in 2024).
Counsell, who earlier this season became the first player in KU baseball history to win a Rawlings Gold Glove (3rd base), brings a great deal of versatility and underrated power to the Diamondbacks organization.
He'll also hit the ground running, knowing a thing or two about life in the big leagues thanks to growing up around it.
"Brady will be a great Diamondback and really checks every box for the type of player you want in your organization," KU coach Dan Fitzgerald said in a news release announcing the picks. "He can really work and is an incredible teammate. He is a total pro – on the field and in the clubhouse."
KU closer Alex Breckheimer, who was dominant during the final month of the 2024 season, went next in the 16th round to the St. Louis Cardinals.
The man teammates affectionately called "Fridge" — 6-foot-5, 270 pounds — started his career in the juco ranks and really developed during his lone season at Kansas, tying for fourth nationally in appearances (33) during the 2025 season.
"Alex was one of the better relievers in the Big 12 and will be a nice addition to the St. Louis farm system," Fitzgerald said. "He took a big jump in his one year with us and will continue to make strides in the bullpen for the Cards."
The final Jayhawk off the board was outfielder Derek Cerda, who was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 17th round.
Cerda, a native of the Dominican Republic, missed a handful of games to start the 2025 season but then was a fixture in the leadoff spot and centerfield, bringing big time plays the rest of the way with his glove and his bat.
He stole a team-high 10 bases and reached base safely in 29 of 30 Big 12 Conference games while flashing serious speed, great instincts and a fearless mindset as an outfielder.
"Derek is an exceptional center fielder and a great worker," Fitzgerald said. "We couldn't be happier for him. He made a huge impact on our program in a short period of time."
In the last two years, Fitzgerald and his coaching staff of Brandon Scott, Tyler Hancock, Jon Coyne and Ryan Holland have helped 11 Jayhawks become professional baseball players. The combination of draft picks and free agent signings over the last two years is the most in consecutive seasons in school history.
"Having guys drafted is one of the many signs of a healthy program and having guys drafted for the first time is a major sign of great development," said Fitzgerald, who, in June, signed a new contract to stay with the program for the next six seasons after the completion of Year 3 with the Jayhawks.
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