The University of Maryland’s baseball pipeline is making noise all over the professional game right now, and the list of former Terrapins producing in 2026 keeps getting longer. From established big leaguers helping shape pennant races to younger names forcing their way up the ladder, the “Dirty Terps” tag is carrying real weight across MLB and MiLB.
Brandon Lowe has been one of the clearest examples of that impact. After the Pittsburgh front office brought him in from the Tampa Bay Rays, the fit has looked sharp from the start.
The Pirates wanted a veteran in the middle of the diamond and a left-handed bat with real pop, and Lowe has given them both. In 85 games, he has put up 21 home runs and 64 RBIs while batting .247 with an .820 OPS.
That kind of production has kept Pittsburgh in the mix for a National League Wild Card spot, and Lowe has become the sort of second baseman who can flip a game with one swing when the pressure spikes.
Sean Burke is making a different kind of statement in Chicago. Once viewed as a high-upside arm, he has settled into the role of a rotation anchor for the White Sox.
Burke has worked 18 appearances, including 14 starts, and has done it with a calm that stands out for a pitcher still building service time. Over 98.2 innings, he owns a 5-4 record and a 3.56 ERA, but the number that jumps off the page is 106 strikeouts before the All-Star break.
Moving from a hybrid bulk-inning setup into a steady starting role has helped his command catch up to his velocity, giving Chicago a dependable arm to build around.
Kyle McCoy has been just as impressive, even if his path has come a little earlier in the minors. The Cincinnati Reds, who are known for pushing productive prospects, have already moved the 2025 eighth-round pick from Single-A Daytona to High-A Dayton, and he has handled both stops with ease.
McCoy’s first half has been nasty: a 3.03 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 59.1 innings. June was especially strong, with his command of his secondary pitches earning organizational honors.
For a young left-hander to show that kind of maturity this quickly says plenty about where he may be headed.
At Double-A, Nick Lorusso has been doing damage for the New York Mets’ affiliate, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. That level is often where the real test begins, and Lorusso has answered it with power.
In 246 at-bats, he has hit 14 home runs and driven in 42 runs. His .236 average is modest, but the .789 OPS and strong slugging numbers show a hitter who knows how to make his damage count.
If he keeps punishing Eastern League pitching like this, a move to Triple-A Syracuse looks close.
The Maryland story also includes two veterans whose careers have taken the long road back. Jose Cuas has returned to the Kansas City Royals after being away from the big leagues for nearly two years, and he has given them needed bullpen depth.
In three relief appearances totaling five innings, he has posted a 3.60 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. LaMonte Wade Jr. followed a different route, signing a minor league deal before earning a call-up to the Houston Astros.
He made the most of the opportunity right away, going 4-for-12 with a .333 average and a 1.135 OPS in his first four games before a hamstring strain slowed him down.
Together, those performances say plenty about what’s being developed in College Park. The current wave of alumni is showing up in Pittsburgh, Chicago and Houston, and the next name already in the pipeline is Brayden Martin, who has been invited to the MLB Draft Combine. With the 2027 Big Ten schedule ahead, Maryland’s professional footprint keeps growing.
In Other News...
DeMatha Football Just Saw A Stunning Change Around Bill McGregor
DeMatha Catholic High School made a notable football change this week, announcing that legendary coach Bill McGregor is stepping away on a leave of absence for personal reasons while staying connected to the program as Director of Football Operations. For a school that has long been synonymous with McGregors presence and leadership, the move marks a significant shift even if it is not a full departure.
Bryce Bevill, a DeMatha alumnus with a long background as both a player and coach, has been named interim head coach. Bevills ties to the program run deep, and his appointment gives the Stags a familiar face at the front of the operation while the school navigates what comes next around McGregors future on the sideline. [Read more 🡒]