Illinois Draft History
DENVER, Colo. — Two Illinois pitchers were selected on the final day of the 2021 MLB Draft. RHP Andrew Hoffmann was selected in the 12th round, No. 367 overall by the Atlanta Braves and LHP Nathan Lavender was selected in the 14th round, No. 412 overall by the New York Mets.
RHP Andrew Hoffmann (So.)
Round 12, No. 367 Overall, Atlanta Braves
Hoffmann was the leader of the Illinois pitching staff this past season. He went 3-0 with a 2.87 ERA over 62.2 innings pitched in 11 starts. An All-Big Ten third team selection, Hoffmann became only the sixth Illini pitcher since 1980 to not suffer a loss in a season with a minimum of 10 starts.
The Plainfield, Illinois, native spent only one season in an Illini uniform. He began his career in 2019 at Division I Oakland before transferring to John A. Logan Community College in 2020.
Hoffmann ranked in the top ten in many pitching categories within the conference. He was second in WHIP (1.02), third in strikeout to walk ratio (4.27), sixth in batting average against (.209), sixth in walks per nine innings (2.15), seventh in ERA (2.87) and eighth in hits allowed per nine innings (7.04).
LHP Nathan Lavender (So.)
Round 14, No. 412 Overall, New York Mets
Lavender also had a strong year on the mound for the Illini in 2021. After missing the 2020 season with an injury, Lavender finished the year 7-2 with a 4.11 ERA over 57.0 innings pitched in 13 appearances with nine starts. Lavender came out of the bullpen at the beginning of the season before transitioning to a starting role.
He led the conference in strikeout to walk ratio with 79 strikeouts to only 15 walks (5.27). His seven victories were also tied for the most in the Big Ten. Lavender began the season with a 5-0 record to become the first Illini pitcher to do so since RHP John Kravetz in 2015.
An Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2021, Lavender spent three years in the Illinois program. He threw 85.2 innings in his career and had a record of 8-4 with a 4.10 ERA in 30 appearances with 13 starts.
