CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois baseball recruit Ty Weber elected to not sign a professional contract with the Cincinnati Reds in order to honor his commitment to the University of Illinois. Cincinnati selected Weber in the 34th round of the MLB Draft in June.
"I'm excited to get another chapter of my life started at Illinois," said Weber. "It was a crazy week with the draft, graduating high school, and leaving for summer school (at Illinois) all in the matter of 24 hours. I am extremely grateful for being drafted by the Reds organization but I think going to college is the smarter decision for me."
Weber, an all-state pitcher for Menomonee Falls High School in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, joined Illinois in June while deliberating his future. He is getting his college career started early with summer school and workouts on campus before fall ball starts during the traditional academic calendar.
"The other freshman down here are awesome guys and I'm looking forward to becoming close teammates with all of them," said Weber. "I want to thank my family and friends for all the support and help along the way and I couldn't be more excited to start a new journey at Illinois."
Weber, who was drafted in the same round as Illinois lefty J.D. Nielsen, brings a lot of potential to Champaign. The 6-4 right-hander was a top-20 recruit out of the state of Wisconsin because of his size and ability throw in the low 90's.
"Ty is a three-sport star in high school whose stock is going to skyrocket once he gets here on campus," said pitching coach Drew Dickinson when Weber signed his National Letter of Intent in November 2015. "Ty has an easy, loose arm and we expect great things from him. I look forward to working with him here as an Illini."
MLB Draft picks had until July 15 to sign contracts. Weber will be eligible for the draft again following three years at Illinois.
Illinois has had 13 current players and four incoming players drafted in the last two years, including 10 pitchers. Two Illini pitchers, Cody Sedlock and Tyler Jay, have been drafted in the first round of the last two drafts after coming to Illinois previously undrafted.
