​Another Oregon Duck has earned a spot in the 2026 MLB Draft. Center fielder Jack Brooks was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 19th round, a choice that sparks an intriguing question about the Oregon star’s future. Brooks has moved around the field during his three seasons in Eugene, yet last year he found his stride as the Ducks’ center fielder. He also helped set the table at the bottom of the order, routinely reaching base with a .370 on-base percentage to create RBI opportunities for the power hitters ahead of him. Brooks finished the season as the Ducks’ leader in stolen bases, swiping 16 bags.
As a late-round pick, Brooks faces a reality: there is no slot money attached to his selection. That means the Nationals would need to negotiate with the speedy Duck using their bonus pool if both sides want to kick off Brooks’ professional career. If an agreement isn’t reached, Brooks would still have another year of collegiate eligibility, and Oregon would surely be glad to have him back in the lineup. With the Ducks having lost a significant amount of production this offseason, Brooks’ veteran leadership and his at-bats would be a valuable addition to the dugout next season. On the other hand, Brooks may be ready to embark on a professional career and leave Oregon behind.
Brooks has until July 27 to decide whether to return to school. He batted .236 last season, belting six home runs and driving in 27 runs. To stay in the loop on Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions, contact or follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like the Ducks Wire page on Facebook.
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