The Toronto Blue Jays used the 103rd overall pick in the third round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft to select Oregon second baseman Ryan Cooney, the program confirmed July 11.
From utility infielder to lineup catalyst
Cooney’s selection caps a junior year in Eugene where he settled into second base and became a primary table-setter for a potent Ducks lineup. Over three seasons with Oregon, Cooney moved around the infield before finding consistency at second base, where he delivered one of the most productive single seasons in recent program memory.
In his junior campaign he produced a slash line of .331/.420/.524, led the team with 82 hits, and paced Oregon with 22 doubles and 31 extra-base hits. He also swiped 13 bases and was named to the first-team All-Big Ten as well as the Eugene Regional all-tournament team.
| Stat | 2026 Season |
|---|---|
| Batting average | .331 |
| On-base % | .420 |
| Slugging % | .524 |
| Hits | 82 |
| Doubles | 22 |
| Extra-base hits | 31 |
| Stolen bases | 13 |
Draft context and what’s next
Cooney was projected by many as likely to be the first Duck selected this year, and the Blue Jays’ pick reflects that expectation. He joins former Oregon shortstop Josh Kasevich in the Toronto organization.
For Oregon, the draft is still unfolding. Several Ducks — including pitchers Cal Scolari and Toby Twist, shortstop Maddox Molony, and position players like Drew Smith — remain under consideration as the draft continues. High-school commits such as Andruw Giles and Isaiah Hearn are also draft prospects and face the decision of signing with a major-league club or honoring college commitments. Any player with college eligibility must decide whether to sign or return to school by July 27.
- Cooney’s selection highlights Oregon’s emergence as a source of draftable contact hitters.
- His performance this season placed him among the program leaders for single-season hits and doubles.
- Oregon’s draft class could grow as the second day of the draft proceeds.
From a local perspective, Cooney’s move to the professional ranks underscores a trend: Pac-12 and regional programs continue to produce players ready for the next level, and Oregon’s recent recruiting and player development have put multiple Ducks on MLB teams’ radars. For fans in Eugene, the immediate impact will be roster turnover, while the program looks to retain incoming recruits who might otherwise be lured away by draft-day bonuses.
Officials and team representatives typically confirm signing details in the days following selections; based on current reports, all signs point to Cooney signing with Toronto and beginning his professional career this summer.
