Illinois Baseball Report

Here’s some Champaign baseball-related news from The News-Gazette:  On January 30th, Mayor Don Gerard’s exploratory committee will begin meeting and discussing the finer points of what it will take to bring a minor league to the Champaign area.  Tony Johnston, vice president of Shelby Solutions, a software firm, will head up the committee.  "The idea [...]

Filed under: Community stuff on January 24th, 2012 | 2 Comments »

… but that’s what we expect from him.  Former Illini Kimes played with the Elizabethton (TN) Twins in the Appalachian Rookie League last year.  Share Tags: corey kimes, minor leagues Related posts Exploratory committee to begin talks on minor league team in Champaign (2) Robbie on the move (1) Former Illini Rohde juggles baseball and [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on January 8th, 2012 | Leave a Comment! »

After three productive seasons at the Iowa Cubs, former Illini catcher Chris Robinson will be heading on to a different venue.  Robinson has been signed by the Texas Ranger organization.  In my opinion, it’s a good move for Robinson, who hit .316 with 29 rbis in 2011.  Robbie has done well with the AAA I-Cubs [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on December 21st, 2011 | 1 Comment »

There’s a very nice feature article on former Illini Mike Rohde at the John Marshall Law School web site.  Rohde who played first base for Illinois went on to play for the Gary SouthShore Railcats.  Not only that, we’ve heard him behind the mike for a few of the home Illini home games, too.  As [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on November 20th, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Yesterday, Illini Baseball Sports Information Director Ben Taylor posted a great article on the Fighting Illini website entitled Recent Draftees Say Illinois ‘Does It Right’.  The piece is about Josh Parr, Corey Kimes and Adam Davis (left) and their transition from college ball to the pros. All three having nothing but good things to say [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on November 15th, 2011 | Leave a Comment! »

It looks like the Illini are representin’ in minor league playoff action in 2011. Joe Bonadonna (left, with the Illini) and the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins Single-A) are seeing playoff action for the first time in 12 years.  They did in style too.  They won 13 of their last 15 games to win their South Atlantic [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on September 11th, 2011 | Leave a Comment! »

On his fifth day on the roster of the Baltimore Orioles and his second game, former Illini outfielder Kyle Hudson got his first hit.  On Labor Day, the Orioles were playing the New York Yankees.  The Orioles lost to the Yanks 11-10 but Hudson singled to Curtis Granderson (who by the way graduated from University [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on September 6th, 2011 | Leave a Comment! »

A couple of former Illini pitchers are having some success for their respective minor leagues teams. Slammin’ Pack Chris Pack, who was instrumental in Illinois’ success in the 2011 season as a reliever, is showing that same effectiveness for the Joliet Slammers.  Thanks in part to Pack (left, pitching for the Illini against Indiana State), [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on September 3rd, 2011 | 2 Comments »

It’s been quite a month for former Illini shortstop Brandon Wikoff.  First, he hit two homeruns in two games last week.  Then he was honored by the Astros organization getting the Minor League Defensive Player of the Month award for his team. Now it looks like he’s moving up to AAA ball! Wikoff will be [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on September 3rd, 2011 | Leave a Comment! »

Good news for former University of Illinois outfielder Kyle Hudson.  The fleet-footed centerfielder been called to the bigs!  The Baltimore Orioles called up Hudson yesterday to the parent organization to meet the September 1 deadline. He had been playing for the AAA Norfolk Tides and doing quite well.  For the year, Hudson hit .296 with [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on September 1st, 2011 | 1 Comment »