Wikipedia

Kayson Cunningham

Kayson Cunningham
Arizona Diamondbacks
Shortstop
Born: (2006-06-25) June 25, 2006 (age 19)
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Kayson Cunningham (born June 25, 2006) is an American professional baseball shortstop in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.

Amateur career

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Cunningham attended Lady Bird Johnson High School in San Antonio, Texas. As a junior in 2024, he was named the San Antonio Express-News Player of the Year after hitting .437 with 36 stolen bases.[1] He was also named the 2024 USA Baseball Player of the Year.[2] During the summer of 2024, he played for the United States national under-18 baseball team.[3] He was named the MVP of the World Cup Americas Qualifier after hitting .417 with 12 RBI.[4] In August 2024, Cunningham played in the High School All-American Game at Petco Park.[5] He committed to play college baseball at the University of Texas.[6][7]

Entering his senior year in 2025, Cunningham was considered a top prospect for the upcoming MLB draft.[8] As a senior in 2025, he hit .509 with 23 extra-base hits and 21 stolen bases and was named the Gatorade Texas Baseball Player of the Year.[9]

Professional career

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Cunningham was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 18th overall selection of the 2025 Major League Baseball draft.[10] He signed with Arizona for a $4.58 million bonus on July 20, 2025.[11] After signing, Cunningham made his professional debut with the Single-A Visalia Rawhide on August 19.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "These were the S.A. area's best high school baseball players in 2024". San Antonio Express-News.
  2. ^ Huang, Christina (April 24, 2025). "Kayson Cunningham awarded USA Baseball Player of the Year as Johnson downs Clark". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  3. ^ Harrod, Ronald (June 19, 2024). "Johnson's Kayson Cunningham, New Braunfels' Nolan Moore make USA Baseball's 17U All-Tournament team". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  4. ^ Mantas, Nick (August 12, 2024). "Johnson HS shortstop wins MVP of World Cup Americas Qualifier". KSAT.
  5. ^ Harrod, Ronald (August 21, 2024). "Johnson's Kayson Cunningham named the nation's top high school baseball prospect". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  6. ^ Huang, Christina (November 13, 2024). "Kayson Cunningham among nine Johnson athletes to sign with Division I schools". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  7. ^ "Local high school baseball star Kayson Cunningham commits to Longhorns to join new head coach Jim Schlossnagle". kens5.com. July 24, 2024.
  8. ^ "Here are the top 20 high school prospects for the '25 Draft". MLB.com.
  9. ^ Huang, Christina (June 3, 2025). "Johnson's Kayson Cunningham named Gatorade Texas Baseball Player of the Year". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  10. ^ Borek, Jesse (July 14, 2025). "'Outwork everybody': How No. 18 Draft pick hit his way to the national stage". MLB.com. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  11. ^ Adams, Steve (July 20, 2025). "D-backs Agree To Terms With Top Picks Kayson Cunningham, Patrick Forbes". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  12. ^ "First Round Draft Pick Kayson Cunningham to Make Pro Debut with Rawhide". MiLB.com. August 19, 2025. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
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