​After a grueling postseason push to cap off the 2026 college baseball season with Kansas, shortstop Tyson Leblanc has a new achievement to celebrate. The former North Vermilion and LSU-Eunice standout was selected No. 61 overall by the Detroit Tigers in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, July 11, making history as the highest MLB Draft pick to come from the Bengals’ program. Heading into the draft, Leblanc was ranked as the 113th-best prospect, and his projected slot value at No. 61 was set at $1.52 million.
Leblanc’s selection adds him to the growing list of Jayhawks who have heard their names called in the MLB Draft and represents the first Kansas pick of the 2026 draft. He continues a long Louisiana lineage among Kansas players and joins recent area draftees such as Cardell Thibodeaux, a former Acadiana outfielder who went 490th to the San Diego Padres in the 16th round of the 2025 draft.
In Lawrence, the Jayhawks saw Leblanc’s emergence as one of their most reliable power threats during the 2026 season. Listed at 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, the Maurice native rose quickly as a professional prospect, delivering an impressive offensive breakout for Kansas. In his lone season with the Jayhawks, Leblanc posted a .341 batting average, collected 87 hits, drove in 69 runs, scored 64 runs, and hit 25 home runs. His production came from anywhere in the lineup, where he consistently supplied a much-needed offensive spark when Kansas needed it most. The combination of Leblanc’s power and versatility helped the Jayhawks finish the season strong, culminating in a run to the NCAA Super Regionals in Lawrence.
Leblanc’s path to Kansas began farther from the national stage, at a juco program in Eunice, where he started his collegiate career closer to home for the Bengals. He spent two seasons at Louisiana State University Eunice, where he left an enduring mark on the LSUE career records. His time with the Bengals saw him ascend to the top tier of their offensive leaders, setting school records and ranking among the program’s most productive hitters. Leblanc’s 132 RBIs stand as a school record for LSUE, and his production would have propelled the team’s hitting efforts through 2025, leaving a lasting legacy in Eunice and at LSUE.
Leblanc’s presence in the 2026 draft also spotlights a broader wave of Jayhawk players and 337 natives who were hoping to hear their names in the later rounds. As Kansas continues to develop players who can transition from college success to professional potential, Leblanc’s milestone serves as a testament to the program’s capacity to produce high-caliber hitters who can compete at the highest levels of baseball.
Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. For more updates on high school and Cajuns coverage, follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @ShannonBelt3. Questions about high school or UL athletics can be directed to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com. This article originally appeared in the Lafayette Daily Advertiser and has been updated to reflect Leblanc’s draft selection by the Detroit Tigers in the 2026 MLB Draft, with SEO considerations in mind.