4 days ago
The Detroit Tigers have signed another draft pick.
Shortstop Tyson LeBlanc signed with the Tigers for a $1.6 million bonus – approximately $85,000 over the slot value – as first reported by MLB.com's Jim Callis. The Tigers drafted LeBlanc in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft at No. 61 overall on July 11.
LeBlanc was first-team All-Big 12 in his only season with the Kansas Jayhawks in 2026, slashing .341/.425/.706 with 25 home runs and 69 RBIs. He was named the 2026 Big 12 Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after marking 7 RBIs in three tournament games.
ON THE FIELD: Tigers takeaways: A.J. Hinch doing whatever it takes for needed wins
LeBlanc was one of Detroit's three remaining undecided draft picks as of Friday, with right-handed pitcher Jack Byers (17th round) and right-handed pitcher Will Zielinski (20th round) still having yet to sign. First-round pick Cameron Flukey, a right-handed pitcher out of Coastal Carolina, signed with the Tigers on July 15.
#tigers #leblanc #draft #right
Shortstop Tyson LeBlanc signed with the Tigers for a $1.6 million bonus – approximately $85,000 over the slot value – as first reported by MLB.com's Jim Callis. The Tigers drafted LeBlanc in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft at No. 61 overall on July 11.
LeBlanc was first-team All-Big 12 in his only season with the Kansas Jayhawks in 2026, slashing .341/.425/.706 with 25 home runs and 69 RBIs. He was named the 2026 Big 12 Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after marking 7 RBIs in three tournament games.
ON THE FIELD: Tigers takeaways: A.J. Hinch doing whatever it takes for needed wins
LeBlanc was one of Detroit's three remaining undecided draft picks as of Friday, with right-handed pitcher Jack Byers (17th round) and right-handed pitcher Will Zielinski (20th round) still having yet to sign. First-round pick Cameron Flukey, a right-handed pitcher out of Coastal Carolina, signed with the Tigers on July 15.
#tigers #leblanc #draft #right
4 days ago
The Detroit Tigers have signed another draft pick.
Shortstop Tyson LeBlanc signed with the Tigers for a $1.6 million bonus – approximately $85,000 over the slot value – as first reported by MLB.com's Jim Callis. The Tigers drafted LeBlanc in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft at No. 61 overall on July 11.
LeBlanc was first-team All-Big 12 in his only season with the Kansas Jayhawks in 2026, slashing .341/.425/.706 with 25 home runs and 69 RBIs. He was named the 2026 Big 12 Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after marking 7 RBIs in three tournament games.
ON THE FIELD: Tigers takeaways: A.J. Hinch doing whatever it takes for needed wins
LeBlanc was one of Detroit's three remaining undecided draft picks as of Friday, with right-handed pitcher Jack Byers (17th round) and right-handed pitcher Will Zielinski (20th round) still having yet to sign. First-round pick Cameron Flukey, a right-handed pitcher out of Coastal Carolina, signed with the Tigers on July 15.
#leblanc #first #right #july
Shortstop Tyson LeBlanc signed with the Tigers for a $1.6 million bonus – approximately $85,000 over the slot value – as first reported by MLB.com's Jim Callis. The Tigers drafted LeBlanc in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft at No. 61 overall on July 11.
LeBlanc was first-team All-Big 12 in his only season with the Kansas Jayhawks in 2026, slashing .341/.425/.706 with 25 home runs and 69 RBIs. He was named the 2026 Big 12 Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after marking 7 RBIs in three tournament games.
ON THE FIELD: Tigers takeaways: A.J. Hinch doing whatever it takes for needed wins
LeBlanc was one of Detroit's three remaining undecided draft picks as of Friday, with right-handed pitcher Jack Byers (17th round) and right-handed pitcher Will Zielinski (20th round) still having yet to sign. First-round pick Cameron Flukey, a right-handed pitcher out of Coastal Carolina, signed with the Tigers on July 15.
#leblanc #first #right #july
16 days ago
The second day of the 2026 MLB draft is underway, and this is where the Tigers can get some good value. Remember, Tarik Skubal went in the ninth round, and Kerry Carpenter was a 19th-rounder, so some of these guys have a chance to make big impacts in Detroit.
It's rare to see players picked in the first 10 rounds not sign, but the second half of the draft is a bit different. Slot values go away, and teams are allowed to offer $150,000 that doesn't work against the bonus pool. Anything over that number comes out of any underslot-signing savings in the first 10 rounds. Usually, you'll see a Hail Mary type pick in the final four or five rounds, and those players don't always end up being signed.
For a refresher, Detroit selected Coastal Carolina right-handed pitcher Cameron Flukey in the first round, Kansas shortstop Tyson LeBlanc in the second round, Florida Gulf Coast two-way Evan Dempsey as a right-handed pitcher in the competitive balance round B and high school shortstop Dominic Pellegrin (Holy Cross HS, LA) in the fourth round. The Tigers did not have a third-round pick due to the signing of Framber Valdez.
A 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander out of Louisiana Tech, Declan Dahl is an interesting developmental pickup for Detroit.
He spent two seasons with Seminole State (Okla.) at the JUCO level, compiling a 13-6 record, 3.36 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 128.2 innings and 26 appearances (21 starts). Dahl threw four complete games in that time and had a 10.00 K/9 over that time, too.
It's rare to see players picked in the first 10 rounds not sign, but the second half of the draft is a bit different. Slot values go away, and teams are allowed to offer $150,000 that doesn't work against the bonus pool. Anything over that number comes out of any underslot-signing savings in the first 10 rounds. Usually, you'll see a Hail Mary type pick in the final four or five rounds, and those players don't always end up being signed.
For a refresher, Detroit selected Coastal Carolina right-handed pitcher Cameron Flukey in the first round, Kansas shortstop Tyson LeBlanc in the second round, Florida Gulf Coast two-way Evan Dempsey as a right-handed pitcher in the competitive balance round B and high school shortstop Dominic Pellegrin (Holy Cross HS, LA) in the fourth round. The Tigers did not have a third-round pick due to the signing of Framber Valdez.
A 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander out of Louisiana Tech, Declan Dahl is an interesting developmental pickup for Detroit.
He spent two seasons with Seminole State (Okla.) at the JUCO level, compiling a 13-6 record, 3.36 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 128.2 innings and 26 appearances (21 starts). Dahl threw four complete games in that time and had a 10.00 K/9 over that time, too.
16 days ago
LAWRENCE — Kansas baseball just saw Mathis Nayral be selected No. 402 overall in the 2026 MLB Draft, with him becoming the fourth player from the program to be picked this year.
The Toronto Blue Jays picked Nayral, a junior right-handed pitcher for the Jayhawks this past season, in the 13th round. Nayral arrived as a transfer from Cochise College, and became another junior college addition that's played well for coach Dan Fitzgerald at KU. With the Jayhawks, Nayral enjoyed a season that saw the program win the Big 12 Conference's regular season and tournament ******* les before going on to with the Lawrence Regional in the NCAA tournament.
RELATED: Kansas baseball 2026 MLB Draft tracker: Where KU players are picked
Nayral, whose season with Kansas ended in a NCAA super regional in Lawrence, finished with a 4.96 ERA across 17 starts and 18 appearances. He had a 4-3 record. He also had 71 strikeouts across 69 innings pitched.
Nayral follows junior infielder/outfielder Tyson LeBlanc being drafted by Detroit in the seance round, junior right-handed pitcher Dominic Voegele being drafted by Baltimore in the third round and junior infielder/outfielder Brady Ballinger being drafted by Detroit in the seventh round. It's an impressive run for a Kansas team that's raised the level of expectations in Lawrence quite a bit in recent years. Now, Nayral has the chance to pursue a professional career.
The Toronto Blue Jays picked Nayral, a junior right-handed pitcher for the Jayhawks this past season, in the 13th round. Nayral arrived as a transfer from Cochise College, and became another junior college addition that's played well for coach Dan Fitzgerald at KU. With the Jayhawks, Nayral enjoyed a season that saw the program win the Big 12 Conference's regular season and tournament ******* les before going on to with the Lawrence Regional in the NCAA tournament.
RELATED: Kansas baseball 2026 MLB Draft tracker: Where KU players are picked
Nayral, whose season with Kansas ended in a NCAA super regional in Lawrence, finished with a 4.96 ERA across 17 starts and 18 appearances. He had a 4-3 record. He also had 71 strikeouts across 69 innings pitched.
Nayral follows junior infielder/outfielder Tyson LeBlanc being drafted by Detroit in the seance round, junior right-handed pitcher Dominic Voegele being drafted by Baltimore in the third round and junior infielder/outfielder Brady Ballinger being drafted by Detroit in the seventh round. It's an impressive run for a Kansas team that's raised the level of expectations in Lawrence quite a bit in recent years. Now, Nayral has the chance to pursue a professional career.
16 days ago
The second day of the 2026 MLB draft is underway, and this is where the Tigers can get some good value. Remember, Tarik Skubal went in the ninth round, and Kerry Carpenter was a 19th-rounder, so some of these guys have a chance to make big impacts in Detroit.
It's rare to see players picked in the first 10 rounds not sign, but the second half of the draft is a bit different. Slot values go away, and teams are allowed to offer $150,000 that doesn't work against the bonus pool. Anything over that number comes out of any underslot-signing savings in the first 10 rounds. Usually, you'll see a Hail Mary type pick in the final four or five rounds, and those players don't always end up being signed.
For a refresher, Detroit selected Coastal Carolina right-handed pitcher Cameron Flukey in the first round, Kansas shortstop Tyson LeBlanc in the second round, Florida Gulf Coast two-way Evan Dempsey as a right-handed pitcher in the competitive balance round B and high school shortstop Dominic Pellegrin (Holy Cross HS, LA) in the fourth round. The Tigers did not have a third-round pick due to the signing of Framber Valdez.
A 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander out of Louisiana Tech, Declan Dahl is an interesting developmental pickup for Detroit.
He spent two seasons with Seminole State (Okla.) at the JUCO level, compiling a 13-6 record, 3.36 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 128.2 innings and 26 appearances (21 starts). Dahl threw four complete games in that time and had a 10.00 K/9 over that time, too.
It's rare to see players picked in the first 10 rounds not sign, but the second half of the draft is a bit different. Slot values go away, and teams are allowed to offer $150,000 that doesn't work against the bonus pool. Anything over that number comes out of any underslot-signing savings in the first 10 rounds. Usually, you'll see a Hail Mary type pick in the final four or five rounds, and those players don't always end up being signed.
For a refresher, Detroit selected Coastal Carolina right-handed pitcher Cameron Flukey in the first round, Kansas shortstop Tyson LeBlanc in the second round, Florida Gulf Coast two-way Evan Dempsey as a right-handed pitcher in the competitive balance round B and high school shortstop Dominic Pellegrin (Holy Cross HS, LA) in the fourth round. The Tigers did not have a third-round pick due to the signing of Framber Valdez.
A 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander out of Louisiana Tech, Declan Dahl is an interesting developmental pickup for Detroit.
He spent two seasons with Seminole State (Okla.) at the JUCO level, compiling a 13-6 record, 3.36 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 128.2 innings and 26 appearances (21 starts). Dahl threw four complete games in that time and had a 10.00 K/9 over that time, too.
17 days ago
The Detroit Tigers drafted right-handed pitcher Evan Dempsey from Florida Gulf Coast with the No. 69 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. The Tigers received this extra pick as part of the Competitive Balance Round B, between Rounds 2 and 3.
The Tigers opened their 2026 draft by selecting Coastal Carolina right-handed pitcher Cameron Flukey with the No. 22 overall selection. The 21-year-old Flukey is the first pitcher the Tigers have taken in the first round since Jackson Jobe was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft.
Detroit selected Kansas shortstop Tyson LeBlanc with its second-round pick, at No. 61 overall.
FOLLOW ALONG: Detroit Tigers MLB Draft 2026 tracker: Who has Scott Harris picked?
The Tigers have four Day 1 draft picks, with their first-round pick landing at No. 22 overall.
The Tigers opened their 2026 draft by selecting Coastal Carolina right-handed pitcher Cameron Flukey with the No. 22 overall selection. The 21-year-old Flukey is the first pitcher the Tigers have taken in the first round since Jackson Jobe was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft.
Detroit selected Kansas shortstop Tyson LeBlanc with its second-round pick, at No. 61 overall.
FOLLOW ALONG: Detroit Tigers MLB Draft 2026 tracker: Who has Scott Harris picked?
The Tigers have four Day 1 draft picks, with their first-round pick landing at No. 22 overall.
17 days ago
LAWRENCE — Kansas baseball just saw Tyson LeBlanc selected No. 61 overall in the 2026 MLB Draft, and he becomes the first player from the program to be picked this year.
The Detroit Tigers picked LeBlanc, a junior infielder/outfielder for the Jayhawks this past season, in the second round. LeBlanc, who transferred in from LSU Eunice ahead of the 2026 college season, has made the most of his opportunity at KU. A former junior college athlete, he proved he could thrive at the Division I level in the Big 12 Conference.
RELATED: Ritch Price of Kansas baseball will be inducted into ABCA Hall of Fame
LeBlanc has been named an All-American, at different levels, by a number of organizations for his play at Kansas in 2026. That’s on top of the postseason and All-Big 12 honors he’s also received. He was a key part of why the Jayhawks were able to sweep the Big 12’s regular season and tournament championships, then win the Lawrence Regional in the NCAA tournament, and later host a super regional as well — where their season came to an end.
LeBlanc started all 63 games he played for the Jayhawks, and finished with a batting average of .341. He also had 87 hits, 69 RBI and 25 home runs. He led the team in batting average, hits, RBI and home runs, and has the chance to enjoy a lengthy professional career.
The Detroit Tigers picked LeBlanc, a junior infielder/outfielder for the Jayhawks this past season, in the second round. LeBlanc, who transferred in from LSU Eunice ahead of the 2026 college season, has made the most of his opportunity at KU. A former junior college athlete, he proved he could thrive at the Division I level in the Big 12 Conference.
RELATED: Ritch Price of Kansas baseball will be inducted into ABCA Hall of Fame
LeBlanc has been named an All-American, at different levels, by a number of organizations for his play at Kansas in 2026. That’s on top of the postseason and All-Big 12 honors he’s also received. He was a key part of why the Jayhawks were able to sweep the Big 12’s regular season and tournament championships, then win the Lawrence Regional in the NCAA tournament, and later host a super regional as well — where their season came to an end.
LeBlanc started all 63 games he played for the Jayhawks, and finished with a batting average of .341. He also had 87 hits, 69 RBI and 25 home runs. He led the team in batting average, hits, RBI and home runs, and has the chance to enjoy a lengthy professional career.
17 days ago
The Detroit Tigers drafted Kansas shortstop Tyson LeBlanc with the No. 61 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
The Tigers selected Coastal Carolina right-handed pitcher Cameron Flukey with the No. 22 overall selection in the first round. Flukey, who pitched in the 2025 College World Series final round, is the first pitcher the Tigers have taken in the first round since Jackson Jobe was drafted with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft.
The Tigers have four Day 1 draft picks, with their first-round pick landing at No. 22 overall.
Here is where Detroit will pick in the first five rounds of the 2026 MLB Draft, with the Tigers having 20 total picks in the 20-round draft.
Round 1: RHP Cameron Flukey, Coastal Carolina.
The Tigers selected Coastal Carolina right-handed pitcher Cameron Flukey with the No. 22 overall selection in the first round. Flukey, who pitched in the 2025 College World Series final round, is the first pitcher the Tigers have taken in the first round since Jackson Jobe was drafted with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft.
The Tigers have four Day 1 draft picks, with their first-round pick landing at No. 22 overall.
Here is where Detroit will pick in the first five rounds of the 2026 MLB Draft, with the Tigers having 20 total picks in the 20-round draft.
Round 1: RHP Cameron Flukey, Coastal Carolina.
