Kansas Baseball Adds 17 Transfers to its Roster

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Heading into the third year under head coach Dan Fitzgerald, Kansas has brought in 17 transfers to bolster its roster for the 2025 season. The additions will help supplement the eight players who were drafted and signed contacts to play professional baseball this summer.

"We are really excited about our transfer class," Fitzgerald said. "We had some really big holes to fill after graduation and the draft. We feel like we addressed those concerns and upgraded in multiple spots. Coach Coyne continues to do an incredible job of coordinating a comprehensive effort. Coach Hancock and Coach Scott did an outstanding job with this class as well. This class is very talented, but most importantly, they are the type of people Jayhawk Nation will be proud to watch compete."

Kansas finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 31-23 and a 15-15 mark in conference play. The 31 wins were the most for Kansas since 2019 and the 15 victories in Big 12 games were tied for the most in program history. The Jayhawks also advanced to the semifinals of the Big 12 Championship this season for the first time since 2013.

"We are really excited about the additions we added to our roster," Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Jon Coyne said. "We feel that every one of them helps our program not only on the field but off the field as well."

Below is a breakdown of the nine position players. The eight pitchers will be introduced in a news release on Wednesday.

Position Players
Name	Position • Previous School(s)
Kaiden Ashton	OF • Sapulpa HS/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
Brady Ballinger	INF • Green Valley HS/College of Southern Nevada
Tommy Barth	OF • Brecksville-Broadview Heights HS/East Tennessee State
Brady Counsell	INF • Whitefish Bay HS/Minnesota
Ian Francis	C • Cardinal Mooney HS/Youngstown State
Jackson Hauge	INF/OF • Anoka HS/Minnesota State Mankato
Dariel Osoria	INF • Metropolitan Soundview HS/Western Oklahoma State College
Sawyer Smith	INF • Shoreland Lutheran HS/St. Cloud State
Max Soliz Jr.	C • Bob Jones HS/Arkansas/Chattahoochee Valley CC

Kaiden Ashton
OF • Jr. • 5-8 • 180 • L/R
Sapulpa, Okla. • Sapulpa HS/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
2024 Stats: .406/.505/.516 (63-for-155), 14 2B, 1 HR, 29 RBI, 51 R, 34 BB, 19 SB in 45 games (44 starts)

Notes: Transferred to Kansas with two years of eligibility remaining … Spent two years at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College … NJCAA Region II All-Region First Team in 2023 and 2024 … Hit .414/.518/.518 with 128 hits, 22 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 47 RBIs, 101 runs, 66 walks and 38 stolen bases in 87 career games (84 starts) … Only had 22 strikeouts in 309 at-bats … Played three years of baseball at Sapulpa High School in Sapulpa, Oklahoma … All-State honoree … All-State Team MVP in 2022 … Batted .390 as a freshman, .400 as a junior and .420 as a senior … Participated in the Oklahoma State Games three times … Committed in April 2024 … Son of Rachal Ashton … Has one younger brother, Kason, and one younger sister, Eden.

Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Tyler Hancock on Ashton: "Kaiden is capable of putting a ton of pressure on the defense. He has great bat-to-ball skills and a great understanding of the strike zone. He can also play all three outfield spots."

Brady Ballinger
INF • So. • 6-2 • 215 • L/L
Las Vegas, Nev. • Green Valley HS/College of Southern Nevada
2024 Stats: .433/.548/.690 (81-for-187), 30 2B, 6 HR, 63 RBI, 64 R, 46 BB, 10 SB in 60 games (53 starts)

Notes: Transferred to Kansas with three years of eligibility remaining … Spent one year at College of Southern Nevada … Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Year … NJCAA Division I All-American Honorable Mention … Helped his team win the Scenic West Athletic Conference Championship and the West Region Championship … Ranked the No. 4 first baseman in the state of Nevada, and the No. 51 overall prospect in the state by Perfect Game in 2023 … Played four years of baseball at Green Valley High School in Henderson, Nevada … All-State first baseman in 2023 … Third Team All-American in 2023 … All-League Player of the Year in 2023 … All-Region first baseman in 2022 and 2023 … Helped his team become regular season champions of the Desert League in 2023 … All-Scholar athlete in 2022 and 2023 … Committed in July 2024 … Picked Kansas over Utah, Utah Valley, USC and Texas State … Son of Patrick and Sharla Ballinger … Has two brothers, PJ and Hunter … His brother, PJ, played baseball at Presentation College.

Ballinger on why he chose Kansas: "Kansas caught my interest because of the timeless tradition. I chose to be a Jayhawk because they provided me the best opportunity to help me reach my future endeavors."

Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Tyler Hancock on Ballinger: "Brady is a middle of the order bat with the ability to control the strike zone and do damage when it is over the plate. He had a tremendous freshman year and we expect him to continue to hit at a high level."

Tommy Barth
OF • Sr. • 5-11 • 195 • R/L
Brecksville, Ohio • Brecksville-Broadview Heights HS/East Tennessee State
2024 Stats: .319/.412/.495 (58-for-182), 10 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 55 R, 25 BB, 6 SB in 49 games (47 starts)

Notes: Transferred to Kansas with one year of eligibility remaining … Spent three years at East Tennessee State … All-SoCon Second Team in 2024 … Preseason All-SoCon Second Team in 2024 … Preseason All-SoCon First Team in 2023 … SoCon Freshman of the Year in 2022 … All-SoCon First Team in 2022 … All-SoCon Freshman Team in 2022 … Slashed .325/.393/.503 with 189 hits, 42 doubles, eight triples, 15 home runs, 99 RBIs, 135 runs and 16 stolen bases in 144 career games (141 starts) … Only 12 strikeouts in 182 at-bats, which was the best strikeout rate among SoCon players and ranked among the top 10 nationally in 2024 … 15 multi-hit games in 2024 … Had a nine-game hitting streak and a 26-game reached base streak during the 2024 season … Posted a 1.000 fielding percentage with 113 putouts and one assist in 2023 … Led ETSU in batting average, on-base percentage, walks, hits, and triples in 2022 as a freshman ... His .369 batting average ranked third in the conference (at the end of the regular season) and third amongst all Division I freshman … Tallied a 22-game hit streak that spanned over a month in 2022, the longest hitting streak by a freshman in program history … Graduated from Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School in Brecksville, Ohio ... Ranked the No. 7 outfielder in the state of Ohio, and the No. 43 overall prospect in the state by Perfect Game in 2021 ... Played four years of baseball at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School in Brecksville, Ohio … All-State First Team in 2021 ... Suburban National Conference Player of the Year in 2021 … Three-time All-Suburban National Conference First Team … NEOBCA All-District First Team in 2021 … PBR Ohio All-State First Team … Committed in July 2024 … Picked Kansas over Houston, ECU and Kentucky … Son of Patrick and Annie Barth …

Barth on why he chose Kansas: "I chose KU over other schools because of the coaching staff here. They have developed a great culture and I wanted to be a part of something special."

Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Tyler Hancock on Barth: "Tommy is a guy who has had a ton of success throughout his career. Offensively, he can really control the strike zone. Defensively, Tommy can play all three outfield spots."

Brady Counsell
INF • Sr. • 6-2 • 205 • R/R
Whitefish Bay, Wis. • Whitefish Bay HS/Minnesota
2024 Stats: .287/.386/.520 (58-for-202), 14 2B, 11 HR, 36 RBI, 45 R, 30 BB, 16 SB in 48 games (all starts)

Notes: Transferred to Kansas with one year of eligibility remaining … Spent three years at Minnesota … Named a Big Ten Player to Watch in 2024 … Academic All-Big Ten (2022-23; 2023-24) … D1Baseball No. 12 2024 MLB Draft Prospect in the Big Ten (Jan. 2023) … No. 20 second baseman in the country by D1 Baseball (May 2024) … Northwoods League MLB Dreams Showcase Selection (Summer 2022) … Perfect Game No. 13 2024 MLB Draft Prospect in the Big Ten (Jan. 2023) … Slashed .254/.338/.420 with 130 hits, 33 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, 73 RBIs, 86 runs and 27 stolen bases in 136 career games (124 starts) … Started every game in each of the last two seasons at Minnesota … Led the team with 30 walks, 45 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, 116 assists and 18 multi-hit games in 2024 … Team-high 147 assists (fourth in Big Ten) with just four errors and a .981 fielding percentage in 2023 … Ranked the No. 2 shortstop in the state of Wisconsin, and the No. 7 overall prospect in the state by Perfect Game in 2021 … Also ranked the No. 82 shortstop and No. 415 player nationally by Perfect Game … All-District First Team and All-State Honorable Mention selection as a senior in 2021 … All-Conference First Team in 2019 and 2021 … Two-year baseball team captain … Also played one year of basketball, golf and cross country … Committed in June 2024 … Picked Kansas over Louisville, Oregon State and Arkansas … Son of Craig and Michelle Counsell … Has two sisters, Finley and Rowan, and one brother, Jack … His dad, Craig, played baseball at Notre Dame and for 15 years in MLB and is currently the manager of the Chicago Cubs … His grandpa played baseball at Notre Dame and professionally for five years … His brother, Jack, currently plays baseball at Northwestern.

Counsell on why he chose Kansas: "Really loved the coaching staff and believe they are incredible at developing players."

Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Tyler Hancock on Counsell: "Brady is a middle of the order hitter who has a great approach at the plate. He can really impact the baseball and should provide some power in the middle of the lineup."

Ian Francis
C • Sr. • 6-1 • 205 • R/R
Youngstown, Ohio • Cardinal Mooney HS/Youngstown State
2024 Stats: .284/.366/.483 (60-for-211), 10 2B, 4 3B, 8 HR, 44 RBI, 30 R, 22 BB, 3 SB in 58 games (all starts)

Notes: Transferred to Kansas with one year of eligibility remaining … Spent three years at Youngstown State … Horizon League All-Tournament Team in 2024 … Horizon League All-Academic Team in 2023 and 2024 … College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team in 2024 … Slashed .265/.373/.454 with 103 hits, 20 doubles, four triples, 15 home runs, 73 RBIs, 67 runs and five stolen bases in 128 career games (111 starts) … Made 83 starts at catcher in his three seasons … Drove in a team-high 44 RBIs in 2024 … Ranked the No. 13 catcher in the state of Ohio, and the No. 109 overall prospect in the state in 2021 … Played three years of baseball at Carinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio … Team captain his senior year … All-State Honorable Mention by Prep Baseball Report in 2021 … All-YSN Baseball Team in 2021 … Committed in July 2024 … Picked Kansas over Kentucky, Baylor, Purdue, Ohio State, Cal Poly, East Carolina and Nebraska … Son of Bob Francis and Shelly Pelles … Has two sisters, Carley and Alaina.

Francis on why he chose Kansas: "They have an amazing coaching staff with great player development, and with one year left I wanted to be a part of a winning culture and compete for a national championship."

Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Tyler Hancock on Francis: "Ian is a guy with a tremendous work ethic and a great motor. He has the ability to significantly impact our team on both sides of the ball. He is a high-level defender behind the plate and can do some damage offensively."

Jackson Hauge
INF/OF • Gr. • 6-2 • 210 • R/R
Ramsey, Minn. • Anoka HS/Minnesota State Mankato
2023 Stats: .357/.456/.679 (80-for-224), 10 2B, 7 3B, 16 HR, 76 RBI, 54 R, 29 BB, 3 SB in 61 games (all starts)

Notes: Transferred to Kansas with one year of eligibility remaining … Spent four years at Minnesota State Mankato … All-NSIC Second Team in 2022 and 2023 … D2CCA All-Region Second Team in 2023 … Northwoods League Postseason All-Star Team in 2024 … NSIC Spring All-Academic Team of Excellence in 2022 … NSIC All-Academic honoree in 2021 … Slashed .344/.445/.638 with 18 doubles, eight triples, 27 home runs, 123 RBIs, 108 runs, 47 walks and eight stolen bases in 112 games (105 starts) … Ranked the No. 2 third baseman in the state of Minnesota, and the No. 33 overall prospect in the state by Perfect Game in 2019 … Played four years of baseball at Anoka High School in Anoka, Minnesota … NWSC All-Conference in 2018 and 2019 … Section 7AAAA All-Conference in 2019 … Team captain in 2019 … Academic All-Conference in 2018 and 2019 … Helped his team become Sub-State 11 Champions in 2019 … Also did four years of cross-country skiing at Anoka … Committed in November 2023 … Picked Kansas over Cincinnati, Houston, Pepperdine … Son of Jim and Amy Hauge … Has one older brother, Ben … His mother, Amy, competed in track and field at North Dakota State.

Hauge on why he chose Kansas: "Kansas has a great coaching staff with a culture based around the right values and winning."

Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Tyler Hancock on Hauge: "Jackson has the ability to provide some power in the lineup. He can really do damage with the bat. He had a great summer at the plate and he also showed the ability to play first base and a corner outfield spot."

Dariel Osoria
INF • Jr. • 6-0 • 195 • R/R
Bronx, N.Y. • Metropolitan Soundview HS/Western Oklahoma State College
2024 Stats: .374/.496/.617 (40-for-107), 10 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 38 RBI, 28 R, 25 BB, 6 SB in 32 games

Notes: Transferred to Kansas with two years of eligibility remaining … Spent two years at Western Oklahoma State College (Altus, Okla.) … NJCAA Div. II All-America Second Team infielder in 2023 … Slashed .398/.505/.728 with 34 doubles, four triples, 22 home runs, 102 RBIs, 106 runs, 64 walks and 19 stolen bases in 95 career games … Ranked the No. 5 third baseman in the state of New York, and the No. 89 overall prospect in the state by Perfect Game in 2022 … Helped Metropolitan Soundview High School win the City Championship in 2022 … Posted a .579 batting average his senior year … Committed in January 2024 … Son of Felix and Carmen Osoria … Has three brothers, Felix Jr., Brian and Chris.

Osoria on why he chose Kansas: "Good opportunity to improve my game at the next level and help me get where I want to be at, which is the pros."

Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Tyler Hancock on Osoria: "Dariel has a good approach at the plate. He can control the strike zone and always seems to find the barrel. He has versatility on defense as he can play multiple infield spots."

Sawyer Smith
INF • Sr. • 6-4 • 210 • L/R
Sturtevant, Wis. • Shoreland Lutheran HS/St. Cloud State
2024 Stats: .376/.424/.663 (77-for-205), 20 2B, 3 3B, 11 HR, 58 RBI, 48 R, 11 BB, 4 SB in 51 games (all starts)

Notes: Transferred to Kansas with one year of eligibility remaining … Spent three years at St. Cloud State … Slashed .330/.402/.522 with 33 doubles, five triples, 15 home runs, 108 RBIs, 108 runs, 40 walks and eight stolen bases in 128 career games (117 starts) … Also pitched at St. Cloud and went 2-4 with a 5.00 ERA in 27.0 innings pitched with 15 walks and 27 strikeouts in 20 career appearances (one start) … Led St. Cloud State in batting average (.376), hits (77), RBI (58), doubles (20), triples (three) and total bases (136), while also leading the conference in doubles in 2024 … Ranked the No. 16 shortstop in the state of Wisconsin, and the No. 58 overall prospect in the state by Prep Baseball Report in 2021 … Played four years of baseball at Shoreland Lutheran High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin … WBCA D3 Honorable Mention All-State, WBCA First Team All-District, All-Kenosha County and First Team All-Metro Classic Conference as a senior in 2021 … Also both District and Metro Classic Conference Player of the Year as a senior in 2021 … Slashed .500/.639/.769 with five doubles, three triples, one home run, 15 RBIs, 17 walks, 16 stolen bases and did not strike out once in 72 plate appearances as a senior … All-District nominee as a sophomore while adding All-Kenosha County and All-Metro Classic Conference honors … Also played three years of football and four years of basketball … Two-year football captain … First Team All-Metro Classic Conference selection at quarterback and Second Team choice as a punter ... Two-time All-Kenosha County pick at quarterback and kicker ... Holds Shoreland Lutheran's record for the longest made field goal at 42 yards, career completions and passing yards … Basketball captain as a senior … Scored over 1,000 career points … Second Team All-Kenosha County and Second Team All-Metro Classic Conference honoree as a senior … Honorable Mention All-Metro Classic Conference honors as a junior … Committed in May 2024 … Son of Shad and Kristen Smith … Has three younger brothers, Soren, Slayton and Spencer … His father, Shad, played football at Northern Michigan.

Smith on why he chose Kansas: "I chose Kansas to give myself the opportunity to play at a higher level and because of the awesome coaching staff and winning culture they have implemented into the team."

Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Tyler Hancock on Smith: "Sawyer is a great defender with a big arm. He has a solid approach at the plate and he understands what guys are trying to do to him."

Max Soliz Jr.
C • Jr. • 6-5 • 210 • R/R
Madison, Ala. • Bob Jones HS/Arkansas/Chattahoochee Valley CC
2023 Stats: .279/.376/.507 (39-for-140), 5 2B, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 33 R, 19 BB in 47 games (46 starts)

Notes: Transferred to Kansas with two years of eligibility remaining … Spent one year at Arkansas and one year at Chattahoochee Valley CC … Northwoods League All-Star in 2024 … Did not play the 2024 season … Slashed .222/.300/.333 (2-for-9) with one double, one RBI, two runs and one walk in five games (one start) at Arkansas … Ranked the No. 1 catcher in the state of Alabama, and the No. 2 overall prospect in the state by Perfect Game in 2021 … Also ranked the No. 8 catcher nationally and the No. 119 overall prospect by Perfect Game … Played four years of baseball at Bob Jones High School in Madison, Alabama … First Team All-American … Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American Team – Southeast All-Region Second Team in 2020 … Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American Team High Honorable Mention in 2019 … Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American Team Honorable Mention in 2018 … Selected to play in the 2020 National Showcase, 2018 Junior National Showcase and the East Coast Pro … Hit .405 with 10 home runs his senior year … Helped his team become district champions … Committed in July 2024 … Picked Kansas over Ohio State, Auburn and Oklahoma State … Son of Max Soliz and Josel Woods … Has three brothers, Santana, Valdemar and Remy, and three sisters, Elle, Sofia and River.

Soliz Jr. on why he chose Kansas: "Perfect fit for me. I love the coaching staff and the culture they created."

Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Tyler Hancock on Soliz Jr.: "Max is a guy we feel can hit in the middle of the order and provide some power in the lineup. He had a great summer in the Northwoods, showing he could really impact the ball. Max can also catch at a high level."

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