Rising Star: Ty Kaunas Leads Fresh Wave Of Maryland Baseball Talent
Get to know the Terps’ young shortstop that’s already establishing himself as one of the top players in the nation.
Brady Ruth, Staff Writer
4/30/2026
There’s a rising star at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium at the premier position on the diamond. Freshman sensation Ty Kaunas is delivering consistency and bright visions of the future during his breakout season in the Big Ten.
“I’ve just been trying to stick with the process, whether we’re winning or losing,” Kaunas said. “Coach Swope always talks about the process, and what I need to do to be my best on the field every single day, and that’s what’s really helped me be consistent. Whether it’s on the offensive or defensive side, I just show up to the field every day knowing my approach and my plan for that day.”
The young slugger has been a beacon of consistency through a season of ups and downs for Maryland baseball. The only player to start at and play the same position in every game this season, Kaunas has anchored what many consider to be the most important spot on the field.
“He was our best hitter in the fall,” head coach Matt Swope said. “He was as locked in and dialed in as I’ve ever seen a freshman be offensively. He’s played elite defense throughout the year, and his offense has stuck with him and really came around. My favorite thing about him is that he’s a baseball rat — he does all the little things and is locked in every single pitch, whether he’s having success or not. I’m really happy he’s here and I think he’s got a really bright future.”
“It’s been amazing to represent my home state like this,” Kaunas said. “Obviously, we’d like to add some more wins this season and make a late run. It’s a really important time in our season, and I know we have what it takes to be a really successful team if we get done what we need to do here in the next couple of weeks.”
One of five qualified Maryland hitters with a batting average above .300, Kaunas has established himself a true threat in the Maryland order. His 15 doubles lead the team and put him third in the Big Ten, and his 56 hits rank second on the team in 2026.
“I’ve had the confidence since day one,” Kaunas said. “I knew coming in that I was going to have the opportunity to play. I’ve had confidence throughout my whole life that I can be the best player on that field. I’ve never been afraid of competition, and that’s helped me become the player I am.”
He’s a humble confident, one that didn’t always notice his athletic prowess. It wasn’t until schools started taking an immense interest in him that he started truly buying into himself.
“In eighth grade, I started getting calls from a bunch of colleges,” Kaunas said. “That’s when I really realized that I needed to start taking baseball seriously. It was a big period of growth and awareness that baseball was something I could really take far.”
It’s been amazing to represent my home state like thisTy Kaunas
A Jefferson, Maryland, native, Kaunas grew up going to plenty of Terrapin events. Once he knew College Park would be his new home, he ramped the number of games he attended, especially last year’s men’s basketball team.
There was something about the energy inside XFINITY Center and the passion of the fanbase that invigorated a drive to bring excellence to Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium just down the road.
“After talking to Swope, I knew this was the place to be,” Kaunas said. “It’s close to home, and knowing what Swope can offer as a hitting coach made a huge impact on my decision to play for Maryland.”
His relationship with head coach Matt Swope is one that’s been developing over several years. Kaunas was a high-caliber prospect with plenty of potential landing spots, but his faith in Swope’s vision for his program — matched with his elite hitting coaching — made his collegiate decision a no-brainer.
“Our relationship didn’t start as early as others,” Swope said. “We were pretty honest with him about where we thought he’d fit in early on. Our relationship is really strong. I really like the kid and I’m glad he’s here.”
Ty hits his fifth homer of the season off the scoreboard#DirtyTerps pic.twitter.com/Pz2HSy8EDX
— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) April 26, 2026
I just want people to know that I’m giving it my all every single day to be the best player I can. I’m just going to keep contributing and finding ways to help us win any chance I can.Ty Kaunas
The bond is already paying dividends in College Park. Kaunas seems to be getting better by the series, and his game is growing on both sides of the ball. In 45 games this season, he’s drawn 39 walks (the second-most by a freshman in the nation), pushing his on-base percentage to a stout .436
“My approach has gotten better,” Kaunas said. “Going up to the plate with a plan has changed a lot. In college, working on driving the ball to the opposite field and reacting to offspeed pitches has been really helpful in helping me not pull off the ball and be able to hit to that backside as well.”
His keen eye at the plate is one shared by his teammates and a pride point of Swope’s program. The Terps lead the Big Ten in 2026 with 276 walks, which also puts them third in the nation. Maryland ranks second in the conference with 372 runs in 2026 — Kaunas has scored 39 of them — due in large part to the mature hitting approach that Kaunas and his teammates have already developed.
“That definitely comes from Swope,” Kaunas said. “It’s something that he’s constantly preaching every single day while we’re hitting. He wants our walks to strikeout ratio to be 1:1, and using free passes is really important for winning games at this level. Getting on base gives us a huge advantage, and we want to make sure that we capture it.”
The first year in college is one of immense personal growth for any student-athlete, but Kaunas is already displaying incredible maturity. He doesn’t view himself as a freshman, but as a veteran of the game who isn’t starting a new chapter, but continuing the baseball story he’s been writing for decades.
Earlier this season, Kaunas was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List, which honors the nation’s best collegiate shortstop. It’s early recognition for a freshman whose name will soon be known across the country.
“I just want people to know that I’m giving it my all every single day to be the best player I can,” Kaunas said. “I’m just going to keep contributing and finding ways to help us win any chance I can.”
He’s the headline of a new wave of young talent in College Park. Alongside Kaunas, true freshmen Bud Coombs, Nate Hawton-Henley, Franklin Pichardo Jr., and Nic Morlang have been creating consistent impacts.
“It’s incredibly exciting,” Kaunas said. “We’ve got a lot of freshmen starting to play, and I think that’ll be big in the following years. I know that we have the potential to go really far, not only this year, but in the future with all the young talent.”
Ty Time ??#DirtyTerps pic.twitter.com/NJx1K1yiSJ
— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) April 15, 2026
Baseball is a game of failure, and Kaunas’ mature approach to the sport keeps him rooted and consistent, even through the inevitable ebbs and flows a team faces throughout the season.
“I want to play professional baseball, and you have to be able to battle through tough phases,” Kaunas said. “My confidence has been my biggest factor through life and through this season. Being able to compete at the highest collegiate level has been great.”
There’s no true “off the field” for Kaunas. In his free time, his world still revolves around the game he loves. He’ll watch his film, critique and perfect his form, or use his time for more repetition day after day.
Even when he’s playing video games, he finds himself grinding MLB The Show. He even believes the game has helped him become a better hitter — sharpening his plate vision, pitch selection, and situational awareness.
Kaunas has leaned on the relationships he’s built this season, both with his veteran teammates and fresh faces to the college landscape like himself. His closest bond on the field is shared with his middle infield tandem partner David Mendez.
“Mendez has helped me tremendously,” Kaunas said. “Working up the middle with him through every pitch — and the communication that we have on and off the field — has truly helped me become a better player and leader.”
Kaunas’ freshman season has been one full of collecting. Whether it's experience, relationships, wisdom, or confidence, his talent and growth are skyrocketing hand-and-hand to establish him as a premier shortstop in a prestigious conference.
The future is bright with Kaunas headlining the upcoming years of Maryland baseball as the Terps work to climb themselves back into the spotlight both Kaunas and Swope know it can reach.
