Three Springfield Drifters Alumni Selected in the 2026 MLB Draft
Ryan Cooney playing for the Drifters during the 2023 season
SPRINGFIELD — Three Springfield Drifters Alumni were selected in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft over the weekend. Ryan Cooney (2023) was drafted in the third round by the Toronto Blue Jays, Matt Quintanar (2022) was selected in the 16th round by the Philadelphia Phillies, and Jack Brooks (2025) was picked in the 19th round by the Washington Nationals. With the three selections this year, a total of eight Drifters alumni have been taken in the MLB Draft over the team's four full summers of baseball.
Ryan Cooney — 2B, University of Oregon, Rd. 3, Pick 103 by the Toronto Blue Jays
Highest MLB Draft pick of any Drifters alumni
First Drifters alumnus selected by the Toronto Blue Jays
Played for the Drifters in 2023 ahead of his freshman season at the University of Oregon.
While in Springfield, Cooney split time between shortstop and second base, providing excellent defense for the Drifters across 30 games.
At the plate, the Jesuit High School product excelled, finishing with a .351 average, 39 hits, 9 doubles, and 15 RBIs in his lone summer in Springfield.
During his time at Oregon, Cooney was a First-Team All-Big Ten Conference selection in 2025 and a Second-Team All-Big Ten Conference player in 2026
Matt Quintanar— C, Texas Tech University, Rd. 16, Pick 489 by the Philadelphia Phillies
Fifth-highest MLB Draft pick of any Drifters Alumni
First Drifters catcher selected in the MLB Draft
First Drifters alumnus selected by the Philadelphia Phillies
Played for the Drifters in 2022 after graduating from Hart High School in Santa Clarita, California
With the Drifters, Quintanar played in seven games, providing excellent catching depth during the Drifters' inaugural season
After being named an NJCAA D1 Baseball All-American at Blinn College, Quintanar transferred to Texas Tech, where he became one of the premier defensive catchers in the country while showing some pop at the plate.
With the Red Raiders in 2026, Quintanar made 53 starts behind the plate, hitting .323 with six home runs and 46 RBIs. Behind the plate, Quintanar threw out 22 of the 49 runners who attempted to steal on him for a 44.9% clip, well above the MLB average of 29 percent.
Jack Brooks — OF, University of Oregon, Rd. 19, Pick 556 by the Washington Nationals
First Drifters alumnus selected by the Washington Nationals
Third Drifters outfielder selected in the MLB Draft (Bryce Boettcher 2024, Canon Reeder 2025)
Played for the Drifters during the 2025 season, starting 42 games as a center fielder
During the 2025 season, Brooks batted .282 and set the Drifters single-season record for doubles (12), walks (31) and steals (30)
With the Ducks in 2026, Brooks started 55 games, hitting .236 with seven doubles, one triple, six home runs and 27 RBIs while stealing 16 bases.
To check out the full list of Drifters alumni drafted to the MLB, click here.