CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois baseball announced the signing of seven student-athletes to a Big Ten Athletics Scholarship Agreement on Wednesday.
"I am extremely excited about the group of great athletes that we have signed to join our Illini family," head coach Dan Hartleb said.
"We feel as if this group has the ability to help us to pursue future championships. In the changing times of college athletics, I feel as though our staff did a tremendous job of identifying great athletes and helping to secure their talents which will ensure our success moving forward."
Michael Farina // INF // 6-1 // 170 // R-R // Mundelein, IL // Southeastern CC (IA) // Mundelein HS
NOTES
Slashed .323/.452/.531 with 10 home runs and 53 RBI in 2024 at Southeastern CC (IA)...helped the Blackhawks to the 2024 NJCAA Division II World Series...2024 NJCAA Region 11 Honorable Mention All-Region...helped lead Mundelein HS to IHSA 4A Runners-up in 2022...son of Sal and Cathy...has two brothers, Joe and Chris...intends on majoring in criminal justice...chose Illinois because, "when I visited it felt like home and I feel honored to represent my state."
Aidan Flinn // LHP // 6-6 // 205 // L-L // Mokena, IL // Marist HS
NOTES
Went 2-3 with a 1.81 ERA over 12 games in 2024 at Marist HS...amassed 77 strikeouts in 54.0 innings of work...2024 East Suburban Catholic All-Conference honoree...ranked as the No. 6 player and No. 3 left-hander in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report...also ranked as the No. 229 player overall nationally by PBR...son of Mark and Angela...has two sisters, Madelyn and Olivia...both played softball at Olivet Nazarene...intends on majoring in business...chose Illinois because, "after speaking to coach [Mark] Allen, coach [Adam] Christ, and coach [Dan] Hartleb. I felt a bond with the coaches and knew the competitive atmosphere at Illinois was where I wanted to be. The academics at Illinois are also some of the best in the nation."
Lucas Krebs // SS // 6-1 // 190 // R-R // Edwardsville, IL // Edwardsville HS
NOTES
Slashed .372/.500/.588 with 31 runs and 34 RBI in his junior season at Edwardsville HS...2023 and 2022 IHSA 4A State Champion...2024 IHSA 4A Third Place...ranked as the No. 4 shortstop in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 9 by Perfect Game...ranked as the No. 9 shortstop in Illinois by Perfect Game...was also recruited by Cincinnati, Samford, SEMO, SIUE and Western Kentucky...son of Michael and Gina...has two brothers, Jared and Mitchell...has one sister, Jennah...intends on majoring in business...chose Illinois because, "I loved the campus, atmosphere, facilities and coaching staff. I have also been an Illinois fan my whole life."
Ryan Ohm // RHP // 6-3 // 205 // R-R // Rochester, MN // Iowa Central CC // Rochester Century HS
NOTES
Went 8-2 with a 3.54 ERA to go along with 73 strikeouts at Iowa Central CC in 2024...had at least seven punchouts in six of his 14 appearances last season...2024 NJCAA Region 11 Honorable Mention...went 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA in his senior season at Rochester Century HS...was also recruited by Minnesota, Tulane and College of Charleston...son of Joe and Cortnay...father was a 19th round selection by the Chicago Cubs in the 1998 MLB Draft, spending two seasons in the Cubs' system...has one sister, Madison...intends on majoring in business...chose Illinois because, "I enjoyed being around the coaches and it felt like the right place to be when I visited. I also loved the facilities and campus."
AJ Putty // 1B // 6-4 // 220 // R-R // McHenry, IL // Huntley HS
NOTES
Slashed .419/.504/.812 with 11 home runs in junior season at Huntley HS...three-time all-area and two-time Fox Valley All-Conference honoree...ranked as the No. 17 first baseman nationally and No. 1 first baseman in Illinois by Perfect Game...ranked as the No. 36 player overall in Illinois and No. 2 first baseman in the state by Prep Baseball Report...2024 WWBA First Team All- Tournament Team for Cincinnati Reds Scout Team...also recruited by Cincinnati, Western Kentucky, Eastern Illinois and Illinois-Chicago...son of Brian and Karen...has one brother, Dillon...chose Illinois because, "the coaches were welcoming, and the campus felt like home when I visited for the first time. Additionally, seeing all the program's accomplishments played a significant role in my decision."
Jack Wheeler // 3B / RHP // 6-5 // 200 // R-R // Morris, IL // Morris Community HS
NOTES
2023 Interstate Eight Player of the Year...three-time all-conference honoree...hit .382 with four home runs and 40 RBI during his junior season at Morris Community HS to go along with a .481 on-base percentage...three-time Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All-American...ranked as the No. 18 third baseman nationally and the No. 1 third baseman in Illinois by Perfect Game...ranked as the No. 26 player overall and the No. 2 player in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report...also lettered for four years in football and basketball in high school...two-time all-area honoree in each sport...earned a 3-star rating as a wide receiver...also recruited by Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Purdue and Xavier...son of Garrett and Jodi...has one sister, Emerson...intends on majoring in business...chose Illinois because, "of the great academics and opportunities that are provided to me by them along with the great baseball program that coach Hartleb and his staff have built over the years."
Ike Young // RHP // 6-2 // 185 // R-R // Cisco, IL // Monticello HS
NOTES
Went 5-1 with a 2.16 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 2024, helping lead Monticello HS to a program-record 31 wins...2024 Illini Prairie All-Conference honoree...ranked as the No. 29 overall player in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report...also lettered in basketball and football...was also recruited by Missouri, Kentucky, Miami (OH), Marshall, Illinois State and SIUE...son of Charles and Lynley...has two brothers, Zeke and Trace...has one sister, Tavey...intends on majoring in business...chose Illinois because, "it's close to home and everything felt like home. I really liked the coaching staff."
