![Oregon third baseman Drew Smith (17) talks to pitcher Will Sanford (28) during the first inning. On April 24, 2026, The Oregon Ducks defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions [5-4], at PK Park, at University of Oregon, Based in Eugene, Ore. (Fred Hall/Emerald)](https://dailyemerald.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026.4.24.EMG_.FJH_.BaseballVsPennSt-4-1200x800.jpg)
After a strong season that ended at the Austin Super Regional, several Oregon baseball players were selected to All-American and regional teams across multiple outlets.
Tanner Bradley (Baseball America All-America second team, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-America first team, Perfect Game All-America third team)
It’s no surprise to see Bradley get his flowers after a phenomenal season out of the bullpen for the Ducks. While he wasn’t brought in for many save opportunities, he did secure one on top of boasting an elite 1.66 ERA in 31 appearances. Through 54.1 innings of work, he struck out 84 batters and only walked 19.
He was mostly a setup reliever in big games in the seventh and eighth innings before Devin Bell closed things out, but he was certainly the better of the two and closed out plenty of games in spectacular fashion. One of his best performances was against Arizona at the Live Like Lou Las Vegas College Baseball Classic, where he struck out nine batters in 4.1 innings.
Ryan Cooney, 2B – American Baseball Coaches Association second team All-Region, The College Baseball Show All-America third team
After racking up a long list of awards in 2025, Ryan Cooney extended his already impressive resume after another stellar season with the Ducks. The Oregonian hit a new career high of eight home runs this season with a .331 batting average and 43 RBI. Cooney also stole 13 bases and locked things down on the right side of the middle infield with a .979 fielding percentage.
Cooney was an integral part of the Ducks’ offense throughout the season, but one of his most clutch performances came on April 19 against Illinois, in which he hit two home runs: one tied the game in the fifth, and the other gave Oregon the lead after trailing in the sixth.
Brayden Jaksa, 1B/C – PG freshman second team All-America, NCBWA second team Freshman All-America
Despite shifting to first base early in the season, Brayden Jaksa was recognized as one of the best freshman catchers in the country by the NCBWA and as a first baseman by Perfect Game. The true freshman was a menace at the plate, demolishing 10 home runs in his freshman campaign with an impressive .318 batting average and 36 RBI.
Although it was a loss, one of his best offensive outings was against Illinois on April 18, where he hit a grand slam in the eighth inning, which sparked a comeback effort that ultimately didn’t come to pass. Jaksa had seven RBI that game, which was the most for any Duck all season.
Drew Smith, 3B – ABCA first team All-Region
The man at the hot corner ends his time at Oregon with an all-region nod from the ABCA after a breakout season. Drew Smith was one of the best hitters in not just the Big Ten but also the nation after leading the Ducks with 64 RBI alongside a .338 batting average and 16 home runs. A season like this is just what the senior needed as he makes his transition into professional baseball.
He was the centerpiece of Oregon’s postseason run with 11 RBI in postseason play. His season high of four RBI came against Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament in Omaha. Two runs came from a bases-clearing triple in the seventh, which set up a two-run bomb from Jaksa shortly after.
Angel Laya, OF – PG freshman first team All-America
It’s arguably a shock to not see Angel Laya on more award watchlists after being one of the best power-hitting true freshmen in the country this season. He hit 14 home runs with a batting average of .296. Laya also racked up 47 RBI and made zero errors in the outfield.
One of Laya’s best offensive outings all season came against Northwestern on March 20, in a blowout 20-6 win in which he plated five runs, which included a two-run home run in the third inning.
Will Sanford, SP – PG third team All-America
Saving the best for last, Will Sanford was simply outstanding this year as the leading man in the cast of starting pitchers. He struck out 126 batters in 17 starts with a 3.74 ERA following a frustrating freshman season in the previous year, in which he only struck out 42 with a 6.39 ERA.
Without a doubt, his best performance came in the postseason, at home against Washington State. He struck out 14 and only allowed one hit in 6.1 innings of work and took home the Eugene Regional MVP for his performance.
