​Notre Dame right-handed pitcher Jack Radel has heard his name called at the 2026 MLB Draft, going 28th overall to the Houston Astros on Saturday, July 11. A standout from South Dakota who built a decorated prep career before arriving in South Bend, Radel wasted little time making an impact with the Fighting Irish, stepping into the role of team ace and establishing himself as a future major league prospect.
Radel emerged as a marquee talent for Notre Dame, earning first-team All-ACC recognition and a third-team All-America nod from D1Baseball and Perfect Game during the season. He posted an 8-3 record with a 3.29 ERA across 15 starts, tossing two complete games and accumulating 116 strikeouts against 22 walks in 87 and 2/3 innings pitched. One of the season’s defining performances came on March 20, when he delivered a complete-game shutout of Clemson, striking out eight while issuing no walks. His performances helped define a three-season stay in South Bend that showcased his durability, competitiveness and ability to pitch deep into games.
Across his Notre Dame tenure, Radel compiled a 19-10 record in 38 starts, logging a 3.71 ERA and 215 strikeouts over 211 innings. While his individual success stood out, the Irish as a team faced the broader challenge of reaching the NCAA Tournament in each of his seasons, a hurdle Notre Dame is eager to clear in the near future with the added seasoning and depth that pitchers like Radel bring to the program.
MLB.com entered Draft Day listing Radel as the 44th-best prospect in the class, presenting a profile that highlighted the key elements of his game. According to their consensus evaluation, Radel’s fastball sits in the 93-95 mph range and can touch up to 98, maintaining velocity deep into games. He has developed a mid-80s slider with depth that has evolved into a solid offering, along with an upper-80s cutter that has produced plenty of chases from hitters. His curveball sits in the 78-82 mph range and is reliably targeted for strikes, while he pairs an upper-80s changeup with fade and sink to give left-handed batters different looks. While his repertoire may not feature a singular, overpowering plus pitch, what sets Radel apart is his pitchability and competitive makeup. A high release point and strong extension create a different look for hitters, and he consistently pounds the strike zone. Scouts projected him as a high-floor starter who could be a steady contributor in the middle of a rotation.
Notre Dame has a storied place in MLB history, with 130 players selected all time in the draft heading into 2026. The program’s first-ever draftee was Ken Plesha, taken in 1965, with Ed Lupton also selected that year. A year later, Dan McGinn became a first-round selection and eventually reached the major leagues. In recent years, Notre Dame alumni have continued to hear their names called at notable points in the draft, including Rory Fox in the sixth round and Estevan Moreno in the 20th round in 2025. The list of notable Notre Dame products who have reached the big leagues reads like a who’s who of the sport, featuring Craig Counsell (1992), Brad Lidge (1998), Aaron Heilman (2001), Jeff Samardzija (2006), A.J. Pollock (2009), Trey Mancini (2013), Cavan Biggio (2015) and Niko Kavadas (2021), among others.
Radel’s selection by the Astros marks the next chapter in a career that began with promise in South Dakota and was refined in the competitive landscape of college baseball in Notre Dame. The Astros’ choice signals their confidence in his ability to develop within a major league organization and contribute as a versatile starting option capable of providing length and reliability early in his professional arc. As Radel transitions from college baseball to the rigor and pace of pro ball, he will have the chance to refine his control, continue developing his secondary offerings, and prove that his pitchability and competitive drive can translate into lasting success at the highest level.
This coverage of Jack Radel’s draft moment and Notre Dame’s continued contribution to the sport originally appeared in the South Bend Tribune, with an emphasis on delivering timely context and SEO-friendly relevance for readers following the Notre Dame baseball program and its alumni pipeline to the majors.