LAWRENCE — Kansas pitcher Dominic Voegele was selected No. 82 overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the third round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft on Friday, marking the second Jayhawk chosen this year and the third-highest draft position in program history.
Voegele, a junior right-handed starter for the Jayhawks, anchored Kansas’ rotation during a season that saw the team win the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles and advance to a NCAA super regional. The 6-foot-something hurler made 17 starts this year and finished the season with a 6-4 record, a 5.85 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 97 innings.
What this means for KU and Voegele
The selection gives Voegele an immediate opportunity to begin his professional career within an organization that has invested heavily in pitching development. For Kansas, the pick is further validation of a program that produced postseason success in 2026 and continued to draw attention from pro scouts.
Coach Dan Fitzgerald praised Voegele’s durability and leadership in a Kansas release, crediting him for consistent performance and influence on teammates throughout his tenure.
"Dom carried us on the mound for three years," Kansas coach Dan Fitzgerald said in a KU release. "He never missed a start and never missed an opportunity to make the people around him better. Dom is incredibly gifted and is just getting started. I can't wait to watch his career. He's an all-time great Jayhawk."
Season snapshot
| Stat | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Starts | 17 |
| Record | 6-4 |
| ERA | 5.85 |
| Strikeouts | 120 |
| Innings pitched | 97 |
Accolades and trajectory
Voegele earned All-Big 12 second-team honors and was named to the Big 12 all-tournament team and the Lawrence Regional all-tournament team. He emerged as a freshman and quickly established himself as a dependable college starter who could challenge professional hitters.
For Jayhawk fans, the selection continues a recent trend of Kansas players being drafted and highlights the program’s ability to develop arms capable of drawing mid-round interest. Voegele’s arrival in the Orioles system will be watched closely by KU’s coaching staff and supporters as he begins the transition to pro ball.
- Selected No. 82 overall by the Baltimore Orioles (third round).
- Posted 120 strikeouts across 97 innings in 2026.
- Earned All-Big 12 second-team and multiple tournament honors.
Coverage from the draft continues to be important for the KU program as it seeks to retain recruiting momentum following a deep postseason run. The next steps for Voegele will be determined by Baltimore’s decisions on signing and assignment to the minor-league system.
Cole Bergman, News Block Kansas correspondent.
