Perfect Game Big Ten Preview
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois sophomore INF Branden Comia and sophomore C Ryan Hampe were selected to the preseason All-Big Ten team by Perfect Game on Thursday.
Comia was having a breakout year before the cancelation of the 2020 season. He was hitting .426/.526/.702 (20-47) with three doubles, two triples, two home runs and 10 RBIs through 13 games. Comia ranked in the top five in the Big Ten in on-base percentage (third), batting average (fifth) and slugging percentage (fifth). The Orland Park, Illinois, native was the only underclassmen shortstop in the nation to hit .400+ with an OPS of 1.200+.
Hampe transferred to the University of Illinois from John A. Logan Community College. In the shortened season, Hampe batted .413/.482/.640 (31-75) with three doubles, four homers and 24 RBIs in 21 games. He helped John A. Logan get off to a 20-1 start to the season.
The Illini have six players ranked in the Big Ten's top 40 prospects for 2021 by Perfect Game. The list includes C Jacob Campbell (No. 19), RHP Andrew Hoffmann (No. 22), RHP Aidan Maldonado (No. 24), Hampe (No. 25), Comia (No. 29) and INF Jackson Raper (No. 32).
Illinois has not yet released its 2021 schedule.
