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Detroit Tigers Select Two Kansas Jayhawks in 2026 Draft
Detroit’s 2026 draft haul brings two Kansas Jayhawks into the organization, with the Tigers adding former Jayhawk first‑base and left‑field prospect Brady Ballinger in the seventh round and pitcher Christian LeBlanc in the second. Ballinger, the 216th overall pick, carries a slot value of $274,300, while LeBlanc was chosen a day earlier.
A Las Vegas native, Ballinger began his collegiate career at the College of Southern Nevada before transferring to Kansas ahead of the 2025 season. In his sophomore year he posted a .353 batting average, a 1.165 on‑base plus slugging figure, 16 home runs and 56 RBIs. He also led the Big 12 with 56 walks, a stat that underscored his disciplined approach at the plate. Ballinger’s most memorable moment came in a Big 12 tournament quarterfinal against Oklahoma State, when a three‑run homer tied the game and ultimately secured a walk‑off victory for Kansas.
The Jayhawk’s national recognition began when Ballinger was named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, awarded to the country’s best college player. He earned several All‑American honors and was invited to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp, positioning him as a top draft prospect heading into his junior year.
In 2026, Ballinger shifted to left field to accommodate a surplus of infielders on the roster. He finished his junior season with a .283 average, seven home runs and 45 RBIs in 60 games. At one point he reached base in 25 consecutive games and delivered a decisive ninth‑inning home run that helped Kansas sweep the Sunflower Showdown series in Manhattan. Ballinger missed the Big 12 tournament due to a hamate bone injury but returned for the NCAA tournament, contributing key hits as Kansas captured the Lawrence Regional title.
An MLB.com analysis noted that Ballinger’s junior season was a “slump” compared to his earlier performance, citing a .283/.401/.466 slash line and a loss of timing. The article emphasized that Ballinger’s value lies primarily in his bat and that he will need to elevate his production in professional ball.
LeBlanc, a former teammate of Ballinger’s from both the Jayhawks and the St. Cloud Rox of the Northwoods League, has worn the same uniform three times: first with the Rox, then at Kansas, and now with the Tigers.
The Tigers’ selections are part of a broader strategy that includes a $9,165,100 bonus pool for the 2026 draft. The organization’s seventh‑round pick of Ballinger aligns with its emphasis on adding power hitters who can contribute at the major‑league level.
Kansas has not had a player drafted by the same MLB team in the same draft for two decades. The last pair of Jayhawks selected by a single franchise were Kodey Shojinaga and Tegan Cain, taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024.
The 2026 MLB Draft took place July 11–12 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Tigers’ selections are the latest additions to a roster preparing for its 126th season, its 27th at Comerica Park and its sixth under manager A. J. Hinch.
With Ballinger and LeBlanc joining the Tigers’ minor‑league system, the organization will monitor their development in the coming seasons. The picks add depth to Detroit’s infield and pitching prospects, and the Tigers will evaluate how the players’ college production translates to professional competition.
The draft strategy reflects a continued focus on acquiring talent that can fill specific organizational needs while also providing a pipeline of players who can compete at the major‑league level in the future.
As the Tigers integrate these new prospects, the organization will keep a close eye on their progress through spring training and the minor‑league assignments that will follow. The front office will assess how the players fit into the broader roster construction plans for the upcoming season.
The picks underscore the Tigers’ commitment to building a competitive roster through a mix of high‑draft selections and player development. The addition of Ballinger and LeBlanc adds depth to the farm system and provides new options for the club’s future.
The organization will continue to monitor the prospects as they transition from college to professional baseball, with the goal of adding productive talent to the Tigers’ major‑league roster in the years ahead.
A Las Vegas native, Ballinger began his collegiate career at the College of Southern Nevada before transferring to Kansas ahead of the 2025 season. In his sophomore year he posted a .353 batting average, a 1.165 on‑base plus slugging figure, 16 home runs and 56 RBIs. He also led the Big 12 with 56 walks, a stat that underscored his disciplined approach at the plate. Ballinger’s most memorable moment came in a Big 12 tournament quarterfinal against Oklahoma State, when a three‑run homer tied the game and ultimately secured a walk‑off victory for Kansas.
The Jayhawk’s national recognition began when Ballinger was named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, awarded to the country’s best college player. He earned several All‑American honors and was invited to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp, positioning him as a top draft prospect heading into his junior year.
In 2026, Ballinger shifted to left field to accommodate a surplus of infielders on the roster. He finished his junior season with a .283 average, seven home runs and 45 RBIs in 60 games. At one point he reached base in 25 consecutive games and delivered a decisive ninth‑inning home run that helped Kansas sweep the Sunflower Showdown series in Manhattan. Ballinger missed the Big 12 tournament due to a hamate bone injury but returned for the NCAA tournament, contributing key hits as Kansas captured the Lawrence Regional title.
An MLB.com analysis noted that Ballinger’s junior season was a “slump” compared to his earlier performance, citing a .283/.401/.466 slash line and a loss of timing. The article emphasized that Ballinger’s value lies primarily in his bat and that he will need to elevate his production in professional ball.
LeBlanc, a former teammate of Ballinger’s from both the Jayhawks and the St. Cloud Rox of the Northwoods League, has worn the same uniform three times: first with the Rox, then at Kansas, and now with the Tigers.
The Tigers’ selections are part of a broader strategy that includes a $9,165,100 bonus pool for the 2026 draft. The organization’s seventh‑round pick of Ballinger aligns with its emphasis on adding power hitters who can contribute at the major‑league level.
Kansas has not had a player drafted by the same MLB team in the same draft for two decades. The last pair of Jayhawks selected by a single franchise were Kodey Shojinaga and Tegan Cain, taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024.
The 2026 MLB Draft took place July 11–12 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Tigers’ selections are the latest additions to a roster preparing for its 126th season, its 27th at Comerica Park and its sixth under manager A. J. Hinch.
With Ballinger and LeBlanc joining the Tigers’ minor‑league system, the organization will monitor their development in the coming seasons. The picks add depth to Detroit’s infield and pitching prospects, and the Tigers will evaluate how the players’ college production translates to professional competition.
The draft strategy reflects a continued focus on acquiring talent that can fill specific organizational needs while also providing a pipeline of players who can compete at the major‑league level in the future.
As the Tigers integrate these new prospects, the organization will keep a close eye on their progress through spring training and the minor‑league assignments that will follow. The front office will assess how the players fit into the broader roster construction plans for the upcoming season.
The picks underscore the Tigers’ commitment to building a competitive roster through a mix of high‑draft selections and player development. The addition of Ballinger and LeBlanc adds depth to the farm system and provides new options for the club’s future.
The organization will continue to monitor the prospects as they transition from college to professional baseball, with the goal of adding productive talent to the Tigers’ major‑league roster in the years ahead.
