Ryan Cooney has joined the Toronto Blue Jays organization after the club selected the University of Oregon infielder in the third round of the 2026 MLB Draft. He now shares an organization with Josh Kasevich, Toronto’s second-round selection in 2022 and the only other Oregon Duck ever drafted by the club.
Cooney and Kasevich have not yet met in person, but their careers have followed similar paths. Both are hit-over-power middle infielders known for their work ethic, leadership and aggressive style of play. They were also two-time All-Conference selections and rank among the top 10 in numerous University of Oregon statistical categories.
Similar paths from the University of Oregon
Kasevich played three seasons at the University of Oregon before Toronto selected him in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Cooney began his Oregon career in 2024 and completed a three-season run that included a trip to the 2026 Super Regionals before the Blue Jays selected him.
University of Oregon Head Coach Mark Wasikowski said the similarities between the two middle infielders go beyond their playing styles. “In terms of work ethic and intensity, really comparable, almost identical,” Wasikowski said.
Wasikowski also highlighted the leadership qualities both players brought to Oregon and could carry into the Toronto Blue Jays organization. “The Blue Jays got great players, but they got two really good coaches. They’re going to have a positive impact on everyone in that locker room,” Wasikowski said. “They understand the game, they get it, they’re smart, they’re not going to be out prepared.”
Cooney heard the comparisons at Oregon
Cooney was familiar with Kasevich’s reputation before joining the Blue Jays organization. He heard stories about Kasevich’s work ethic during his time at Oregon, and comparisons between the two began soon after Cooney arrived on campus.
“I heard the (comparisons) a little bit in college,” Cooney said. “It’s awesome to be compared to a guy like that and I hope to be somewhat of the player he is.”
Kasevich contacted Cooney after Toronto selected him in the third round. “After I got drafted he texted me and said ‘Congratulations, go Ducks, excited to have you in the Blue Jays organization’… it was really nice to hear that,” Cooney said.
Toronto valued Cooney’s contact ability
The Toronto Blue Jays evaluated Cooney at the MLB Draft Combine in Arizona, where his maturity and baseball intelligence impressed the scouting staff. Mark Traumta, the club’s amateur scouting director, described Cooney as a polished contact hitter and praised his makeup and intelligence.
“It’s a really polished hitter who’s a contact bat,” Traumta said of Cooney. “If the power comes, obviously that would be a bonus. We met with him at the combine and thought he had really good makeup, a very bright kid. We really like that pick.”
Cooney also gained professional experience in Dunedin during the 2026 season. He played 23 games there, hitting two home runs and driving in 10 runs.
Kasevich earned Buffalo Bisons MVP honors
Kasevich earned Triple-A Buffalo Bisons team MVP honors in 2026. He batted .282 with 77 runs scored and a .727 OPS across 130 games.
His development in the Toronto Blue Jays organization began in Dunedin after the club drafted him in 2022. Kasevich spent the final six weeks of that season there, while Cooney later began his own professional experience in the same Florida destination.
The two former University of Oregon middle infielders now share an organization after building similar reputations for leadership, preparation and contact-oriented offense. Cooney enters the Blue Jays system with Kasevich as a reference point, while Kasevich has a fellow Oregon Duck joining him in Toronto’s organization.
FSB Take
Cooney’s arrival gives the Toronto Blue Jays a direct University of Oregon connection between two middle infielders who share similar playing styles and leadership reputations. Cooney’s third-round selection followed the club’s evaluation of his maturity, baseball intelligence and contact ability, while Kasevich enters the connection after earning Buffalo Bisons MVP honors in 2026. Their shared path is now part of the Blue Jays organization, even though the two players have not yet met in person.
Source: Original report