Illinois Baseball Report

There was some good news for former Illini shortstop Brandon Wikoff that came down the wire today.  Wikoff is being promoted to AAA ball.  That’s a nice jump for Brandon who had spent 2009 and early 2010 in single A.  Most currently, he has been playing for the A Lexington in the Sally League.  Not [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on June 23rd, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

My friend Sue who I met at Illinois Field this year, called the other day and we caught up on Illinois Baseball news.  She gently prodded me to write something about Brandon Wikoff.  She’s totally right… Brandon deserves some coverage for what he’s doing in the minors right now.  First of all, Wikoff has been [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on August 1st, 2009 | Leave a Comment! »

There are college baseball websites I check out and there are pro baseball websites I browse.  And unless it’s MLB draft time, never the twain shall meet. So when it was twittered (by @IlliniBaseball in case you’re wondering) that Brandon Wikoff was mentioned on one of my favorite web sites that mostly focuses on major [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on July 10th, 2009 | Leave a Comment! »

By now, the minor league season has started for the Illinois players who were drafted earlier this month.  Let’s take a look at how they are doing in their new minor league settings. Well, Brandon Wikoff is off to a hot start for the Tri-City ValleyCats in New York State.  After last night’s two-hit performance, [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on June 25th, 2009 | Leave a Comment! »

The Troy Record (NY)  welcomes the new guys to the Tri-City Valley Cats.  Brandon Wikoff is a new member of the single-A Astros team. Wikoff is a lefthand-hitting shortstop who batted .373 in 228 at-bats for Illinois, with 17 doubles, five triples and four homers, 56 runs and 41 RBIs. Until the Astros sign No. [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on June 16th, 2009 | Leave a Comment! »

  Bonadonna:  Bound for Rookie League As of today, four Illinois draftees have signed pro contracts with their respective teams.  Big Ten Network has the info. Brandon Wikoff has signed with the Astros and will report to single-A Tri-City Valley Cats in the New York-Penn League.  He’ll start June 23.  As mentioned before, Dominic Altobelli [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on June 16th, 2009 | Leave a Comment! »

Looks like Brandon Wikoff has already reached a deal with the Astros.  Wikoff and the Houston Astros have agreed to a contract today and he’ll start playing in the minors soon.  He’ll be joining the Tri-City Valley Cats in the New York-Penn League. Tags: brandon wikoff, minor leagues Related posts Photos of Road Trip to [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on June 12th, 2009 | Leave a Comment! »

Once again, congratulations to Brandon Wikoff.  Wikoff, chosen by Houston Astros in the fifth round in the MLB draft deserves it.  He’s been one of the most hard working, talented Illini baseball player since I’ve been covering the team.  A quiet player on and off the field, I’m happy his small stature (5’8”, 5’9” according [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on June 10th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Wikoff: 5th round pick by Houston The fifth round was magic for the Illini in the First-Year Player Draft.  Brandon Wikoff was picked by the Houston Astros in the 161st pick overall. Seven picks later, Seth Schwindenhammer was drafted by the Red Sox.  Schwindenhammer is a 2008 recruit of Coach Hartleb’s crew.  I’ll post more [...]

Filed under: Announcements on June 10th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

More mantle hardware for the Illini hardballers.  Willie Argo was named to the Louisvile Slugger Freshman All-American team by Collegiate Baseball newspaper last Wednesday.  Argo hit .355 for Illinois in 2009 with 12 homeruns and 47 rbis and 10 stolen bases.  His homerun mark was tied for second all-time for Illini freshman.   Brandon Wikoff, who [...]

Filed under: Awards on June 9th, 2009 | Leave a Comment! »