Kansas baseball commit Daniel Lopez passes on signing with Orioles, will play for Jayhawks in 2026

As the Baltimore Orioles continue to sign their 2025 MLB Draft picks, one deal is not going to get over the finish line. Odessa College pitcher Daniel Lopez was taken in the 12th round by Baltimore but instead will return to college for another season, he announced via social media on Thursday.

Lopez will still be playing baseball elsewhere next season. He committed to the Kansas Jayhawks as well, making a jump up to the power conference ranks. Huge news for head coach Dan Fitzgerald, snagging a top arm out of the NCAA transfer portal.

“After talking with my family and coaches, I’ve decided to return to school and continue my academic and athletic journey at the University of Kansas this season,” Lopez said via X. “Thank you to the Orioles and everyone who supported me. Grateful for what’s ahead! Let’s go to Omaha.”

Last year was considered Lopez’s freshman year, putting up good numbers for Odessa College. He appeared in 16 games, six of which were starts – all of which were in conference play. In 49.2 innings, Lopez recorded a 4.89 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 38 walks.

Playing for Kansas will be a big step up for him. D1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers believes Lopez possesses a “big-time arm” and can be a “strong asset” for them moving forward. In an interview with KUSports.com, the right-hander revealed his fastball got up to 98 miles per hour.

“It’s kind of putting everything you can into baseball, making your life about baseball,” Lopez said of his mentality via KUSports.com. “I’ve always taken it serious, I’ve always loved the sport, the game, but as soon you get more into it, I feel like the culture was what really drove me at Odessa. It was kind of like a family, you know, everybody’s pushing you to be better.”

Kansas put together a successful 2025 season, making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over a decade. As Lopez mentioned, the goal is to get to Omaha this upcoming year. If the Jayhawks can, it would be just the second time the program has gotten to the College World Series, going back to 1993.

In fact, KU has only once made it out of a regional. Any kind of advancement in the NCAA Tournament would be a major stepping stone. Lopez turning down the Orioles to play in Lawrence only helps their cause moving forward.