{"id":761053,"date":"2026-07-13T20:54:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T20:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/761053\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T20:54:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T20:54:08","slug":"three-roadrunners-selected-in-2026-mlb-draft-utsa-athletics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/761053\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Roadrunners Selected in 2026 MLB Draft – UTSA Athletics"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHILADELPHIA \u2013 Over the weekend, three Roadrunners made history as Major League Baseball took center stage. Connor Kelley<\/a>, Robert Orloski<\/a> and Lane Haworth<\/a> were all selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, securing UTSA\u2019s second consecutive season with multiple selections. The trio became the 45th, 46th and 47th members of the program to be taken in the MLB Draft, doubling the total under head coach Pat Hallmark<\/a> from three to six.<\/p>\n

UTSA upped its total from two draft selections in 2025 to three in 2026. The \u2018Runners finished 38-20 overall on the campaign and secured their second straight American Conference Regular Season Championship with a 17-10 record in league play.<\/p>\n

Connor Kelley<\/a> | 6-5 | RHP | Spring, Texas | Toronto Blue Jays | Round 14 | Pick 432<\/p>\n

This spring, Connor Kelley<\/a> found success both out of the bullpen and in a starting role, making five starts across 20 appearances. The junior tossed 66.1 innings, fanning a team-high 73 batters while holding a 2.98 ERA that ranked third-best in the American. His 1.14 WHIP helped produce a stretch of 25.1 straight innings without allowing an earned run. For his efforts, Kelley earned a spot on the All-American Conference Second Team.<\/p>\n

Kelley joins a storied franchise that finished the regular season 94-68 and clinched the American League East Division crown a year ago. The Blue Jays advanced to the 2025 World Series before falling in a thrilling, extra-inning seventh game to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 14th-round selection was the third Toronto has used on a Roadrunner, with pitchers Noah Tritz (32nd round – 2006) and Michael Kraft<\/a> (37th round \u2013 2014) filling out the all-time list.<\/p>\n

Robert Orloski<\/a> | 6-4 | RHP | Middleton, Idaho | Los Angeles Angels | Round 16 | Pick 469<\/p>\n

While his 2026 campaign was cut short due to injury, Orloski made history in his two full seasons with the Roadrunners. As a freshman, he was named to the American Conference All-Freshman Team and All-Academic Team after making 11 starts. In 2025, the right-handed pitcher worked entirely out of the bullpen, finishing a perfect 8-0 with nine saves across 72.1 innings of work. He struck out 77 batters while boasting a 3.36 ERA that earned him a First-Team All-American Conference selection. That spring, the sophomore led his squad to a 47-15 mark and its first-ever Super Regionals appearance, securing the final nine outs of the Austin Regional at No. 2 Texas on June 1.<\/p>\n

Orloski joins a franchise that wrapped up the regular season at 72-90 in 2025. The Idaho native is the fifth-ever Roadrunner to be drafted by the team and the third such pitcher. Ryan Dalton<\/a> (18th round \u2013 2012), Riley Good<\/a> (14th round \u2013 2013), Clint Sharp<\/a> (38th round \u2013 2013) and Justin Anderson<\/a> (14th round \u2013 2014) are the other UTSA products to be selected by the 2002 World Series Champions.<\/p>\n

Lane Haworth<\/a> | 5-11 | OF | Lewisville, Texas | Philadelphia Phillies | Round 18 | Pick 549<\/p>\n

After transferring in from Wichita State, Lane Haworth<\/a> immediately found a home in the Roadrunners\u2019 outfield. The junior played in 57 of 58 games this spring, starting 55 times. His .315 batting average produced 69 hits and 47 RBIs, headlined by 13 doubles and nine home runs. While also being hit by six pitches and walking 44 times, Haworth posted a remarkable .430 on-base percentage and .927 OPS. Batting third in 47 games, the first-year \u2018Runner notched eight sacrifice flies as UTSA set a new program record with 42 overall.<\/p>\n

Haworth joins a franchise with three National League pennants this century, including a recent trip to the World Series in 2022 and a championship in 2008. The reigning two-time NL East Division champions tabbed the Texas native as their fourth-ever Roadrunner draftee and their third in the past decade. Ronnie McGinnis (15th round \u2013 1998), Kevin Markham<\/a> (24th round \u2013 2017) and Trent Bowles<\/a> (36th round \u2013 2018) were the three prior \u2018Runners to be drafted by the club.<\/p>\n

Following the conclusion of the draft on Sunday night, 2026 senior outfielder Drew Detlefsen<\/a> signed a contract with the San Diego Padres as an undrafted free agent. The second-year \u2018Runner was named American Conference Player of the Year after pacing UTSA in batting average (.386), games started (57), at-bats (249), hits (96), doubles (22), home runs (14), RBIs (70), total bases (164) and slugging percentage (.659).<\/p>\n

In 2026, Detlefsen posted five offensive totals that rank inside UTSA\u2019s top five single-season marks: batting average (fourth), RBIs (tied for second), hits (third), total bases (third) and doubles (tied for fifth). Now, one of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history turns to professional play, where he will represent a franchise that houses two affiliate clubs in Texas, including their Double-A squad, the San Antonio Missions.<\/p>\n

For complete coverage of UTSA Baseball during the 2027 season, visit goutsa.com<\/a>. On social media, follow the Roadrunners on Twitter\/X (@UTSABSB<\/a>), Instagram (utsabsb<\/a>) and Facebook (UTSA Baseball<\/a>).<\/p>\n

-UTSA-<\/p>\n