CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Former Illinois football and baseball star Kyle Hudson was named a staff assistant for Terry Francona and the Cleveland Indians, the organization announced. Hudson will help with outfield instruction and positioning during games. 

Hudson was one of the best players in Illinois history before eventually playing in Major League Baseball for the Baltimore Orioles in 2011. He still ranks second in Illinois history in career batting average (.376) and on-base percentage (.459) and ranks third in career steals (66). He scored a Big Ten record 40 runs during the 2008 conference season, while also stealing 25 bases against Big Ten opponents, the most in Illinois history. 

Hudson was drafted in the fourth round of the 2008 MLB Draft by Baltimore. He had four hits in the Big Leagues in 2011 and scored the tying run in Game 162 against the Francona-led Boston Red Sox to help Baltimore eliminate Boston from playoff contention. 

Hudson spent last season as the bench coach for Triple-A Columbus. He coached two seasons at Illinois (2015-16) before working in the Indians' minor league system.