Category: University of Illinois Baseball

Casey Crosby waited and waited… and for his time, he was rewarded with a $748,500 contract from the Detroit Tigers.  In addition, he got college tuition money for eight semesters. 

One of the top pitchers from Illinois,  Crosby had committed to the University of Illinois but was drafted in the 2007 First Year Player Draft by the Tigers.  He was a fifth round pick and his high round status demanded a high contract.  With time, the Tigers apparently agreed. 

Mom’s happy too.  Denise Crosby is a managing editor at The Beacon News and she wrote an op-ed piece regarding her son’s signing.  Rather odd piece though in some parts.    I’ll let you be the judge.

Either way, I’m sorry that Casey won’t be part of the Illini team next year but the silver lining is that he’ll be a teammate (eventually) of Shawn Roof’s. 

 

Summer League Action

Illini Joe Bonadonna broke the Northwoods League record for steals.  The former record, held by ex-Illini Ryan Rogoski was 44 and Bonadonna swiped his 45th base in his final game in the summer league. 

As a bonus, his Duluth Huskies won the first half NWL championship and will face the first half champion, St Cloud River Bats.

Also, Mike Stankewicz checks in for the eighth installment of Summer Diamond Notes.  He has vacation photos as he and his Crystal Lake Cardinals went to Puerto Rico.

Don’t look now but Illini pitchers Aaron Martin and Ben Reeser are 1-2 in victories in the Coastal Plain League.

It’s playoff time in college summer leagues and ten Illini will be enjoying the fruits of postseason play.   Check out the details at the Fighting Illini website.

Looks like Joe Bonadonna is two steals away from the Northwoods League record held by former Illini Ryan Rogowski.  He currently is seventh on list with 46 walks.  The record is held by (yes, an Illini) Ryan Hastings who had 57 in 2004.

Good luck to all!

Illini 2B Ryan Hastings signing autographs for the kiddos during the 07 season

In the past, secondbaseman Ryan Hastings had intimated that 07 would be his last year for the Illini.

Well, everyone has the right to change their mind. Since he was red-shirted two years ago, he has one more year left of eligibility and according to the (Mattoon-Charleston) Journal-Gazette Times-Courier, Hastings plans to take advantage of that while he goes to graduate school.

“I believe I’m going to be playing baseball again,” Hastings said. “The idea of playing again has not been totally out of my head. It should be good. I’ve registered for school and I think I’m going to play again.”

Hastings has played an important role with the Illini squad. After hitting .315 in 48 games as a freshman, he was redshirted with a wrist injury in 2005. In 2006, he was named third team All-Big Ten when he hit .319 playing every game of the season. This season, he hit .330, slugged .487, with 6 home runs.

He is hoping to continue playing second base in 08.

“I hope so,” Hastings said. “Nothing is guaranteed. I think we’ll have an influx of new guys coming in. Playing second base is my first choice but I’ll do whatever is best for the team.”

Ryan Hastings’ Bio

Brandon Wikoff

You can get a very thorough wrap-up of the 2007 University of Illinois baseball season on their web site now.  It covers team and player highlights, series summaries, awards, record breakers,  you name it. 

Also, they have another installment of Summer Diamond Notes.  These are the periodic writings of Illini players who are now playing in college summer leagues.  This time around, Brandon Wikoff checks in from the Northwoods League where he plays for the Madison Mallards. 

Brando was a freshman last year but it didn’t take long for him to make a difference for the Illini.  He started at thirdbase and led off for the team, hitting a healthy .286. 

 

The Fayetteville Observer has a nice article about Illini pitcher Ben Reeser.    

In between pitching for the Fayetteville Swampdogs, he is busy helping out the local Habitat for Humanity. 

 

The University of Illinois have signed catcher Aaron Johnson from New Brunswick, Canada.  Aaron will be the third catcher in recent memory to don the orange and blue tools of ignorance from Canada. 

The first two worked out so well I’m not surprised the Illini went north again.  Both Chris Robinson and Lars Davis were All-Big Ten selections and were drafted by the majors. 

“He’s along the lines of our former Canadian catchers,” said Illinois assistant coach Eric Snider, who was the lead recruiter on Johnson. “He can catch and throw, and he handles the bat very well.”

 

Johnson is currently playing for the first place Lethbridge Bulls in the Western Major Baseball League.

Daniel Parker

It’s recruiting season and the University of Illinois baseball staff are busy.  They’ve just received a letter of intent from Daniel PArker.  Parker is a SS/OF from Lawrence, Kansas. 

Assistant coach Eric Snider was the key recruiter on this project and is high on Parker. 

“He’s an offensive type of player who could see some time in any spot in the infield or in the outfield,” said Illinois assistant coach Eric Snider, who was the lead recruiter on Parker. “He should make a contribution as an incoming freshman because he can swing the bat.”

Parker was Kansas Association Baseball Coaches All-State second team and led his team to a third place finish in 2007. 

FightingIllini.com:  Illini Add Kansas Native to Class of 2007