CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- GateWay Community College outfielder Antoine Mistico signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Illinois next season. Mistico will enroll at Illinois next year as a junior and have two years of eligibility remaining.
"Antoine has all the tools to be a productive player for us right away," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "I had a chance to see him in practice and he is a tremendous athlete. I'm excited to add another top player to our program."
Mistico was drafted in the 14th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers but elected to go to Scottsdale Community College (Arizona) his freshman year before playing at GateWay Community College (Arizona) this season. He hit .364 as a freshman and is hitting with .363 this season, while combining to go 52-56 in stolen bases over his first 101 games in the wood bat ACCAC junior college conference. He is currently ranked fourth in NJCAA Division II in steals (29-30).Â
"Antoine is an extremely athletic outfielder that can play all three outfield positions," said recruiting coordinator Adam Christ. "He has the speed to cause a lot of havoc on the bases, plus an advanced approach at the plate. Along with the speed, he has the ability to drive the ball in the gaps and out of the park. We look forward to adding Antoine to the great recruiting class for next year."
Mistico did not start playing baseball until his freshman year of high school. He hit .390 in his prep career and was a perfect 33-33 in stolen bases, tying the Chandler High record for steals.
"I choose Illinois because of the outstanding baseball program, coaches and the incredible community of alumni," said Mistico.
Antoine Mistico
Chandler, Arizona/GateWay CC (Arizona)
Junior, OF, 6-0, 180
2019 Sophomore (GateWay)
• Slashing .363/.475/.562 in 40 games with a wood bat
• Leads GateWay in home runs (5)
• Second on GateWay with 29 stolen bases (29-30)
2018 Freshman (Scottsdale)
• Slashed .364/.457/.500 in 61 games with a wood bat
• Led the team with 23 stolen bases (23-26)
• Third on the team with 36 RBIs
• Fourth on the team with four home runs
High School
• Played for head coach David Lopez at Chandler High School
• Hit .390 with four homers and went 33-33 in stolen bases in high school
• Also played football in high school
• Did not play baseball until his freshman year of high school
Personal
• Last name pronounced "mist-uh-ko"
• Born June 30, 1998
• Son of Vincent and Jenny Mistico
• Biological father, Michael Carter, is a minor league hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs (Mesa Cubs)
• Father, Michael Carter, was a third-round pick in 1990
• Brother, Michael Hermosillo, plays for the Los Angeles Angels
• Two sisters, Isabellia and Sofia Mistico
• Cousin, Roosevelt Brown, played for the Chicago Cubs
