Mathis Nayral Selected 402nd Overall in 2026 MLB Draft

Toronto Picks Right‑handed Pitcher

Toronto Blue Jays signed Mathis Nayral with the 402nd overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. The selection came in the 13th round, marking Nayral as the fourth player from the University of Kansas to be drafted this year. The right‑handed pitcher arrived at KU after a transfer from Cochise College, adding depth to coach Dan Fitzgerald’s roster.

Nayral’s final season with the Jayhawks was highlighted by a 4.96 ERA, a 4‑3 win‑loss record and 71 strikeouts in 69 innings pitched. He logged 17 starts and 18 total appearances, helping Kansas claim both the Big 12 regular‑season and tournament titles. The program advanced to the NCAA tournament’s Lawrence Regional before falling in the super regional round.

Other Kansas players drafted this cycle include junior infielder/outfielder Tyson LeBlanc, selected by Detroit in the seventh round, and junior right‑handed pitcher Dominic Voegele, taken by Baltimore in the third round. Brady Ballinger, another junior infielder/outfielder, also joined Detroit’s roster in the seventh round. This haul underscores the rising profile of KU baseball under Fitzgerald.

The addition of Nayral gives Toronto a developmental arm with college‑level experience in a high‑pressure environment. His exposure to Big 12 competition and a deep NCAA tournament run could accelerate his progression toward the majors. Fans in Lawrence see the draft class as a validation of the program’s recent resurgence.

Key Numbers from Nayral’s College Career

Mathis Nayral posted a 4.96 ERA across 17 starts and 18 appearances, finishing 4‑3 with 71 strikeouts in 69 innings. His performance helped lift Kansas to the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships. The pitcher’s ability to combine stamina with strike‑out potential caught the eye of Toronto’s scouting department.

What This Means for Kansas Baseball

The drafting of Nayral adds a fourth KU alumnus to professional rosters this summer, signaling a breakout year for the program. The depth of the class—LeBlanc, Voegele and Ballinger—shows coach Dan Fitzgerald’s recruiting philosophy is bearing fruit. As each player moves toward the majors, the Jayhawks gain credibility among college scouts nationwide.