CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois baseball had two of its players selected during the 2024 MLB Draft, right-hander Jack Crowder and catcher Camden Janik.
RHP Jack Crowder // Baltimore Orioles // Round 9, Pick 279
In his senior campaign, Crowder went 7-2 with a 4.88 ERA (49 ER/90.1 IP) in 16 starts, amassing 80 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .217 average.
The Romeoville, Ill., native, twirled six quality starts on the season, including a run of three-straight from April 12-26.
In the Illini's 2024 season opener vs. Akron on Feb. 16, Crowder recorded a career-high nine strikeouts over 6.0 frames of one-run ball.
Working as the team's Friday starter, Illinois went 11-5 in his starts, including 7-1 during Big Ten play. The Orange and Blue also won seven-straight games he started from March 15 - April 26.
Crowder turned in the best start of his Illini career in the opening round of the NCAA Lexington Regional vs. Indiana State on May 31, tossing a career-high 8.0 innings, allowing just one run on three hits to go along with five strikeouts and no walks, leading Illinois to the 4-1 win.
During his four-year collegiate career, Crowder went 15-6 with a 6.23 ERA in 51 games, 31 starts, with 158 strikeouts in 182.0 innings of work.
C Camden Janik // Pittsburgh Pirates // Round 12, Pick 354
A 2024 ABCA/Rawlings All-America Third Team and 2024 All-Big Ten First Team selection, Janik posted an overall slash of .356/.440/.533 to go along with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 49 RBI during his junior season.
The Wauconda, Ill., native, was one of the toughest players to strikeout in the country, whiffing just 11 times in 225 at-bats. His 20.5 K/AVG is tied for the second-best mark and his 11 strikeouts are the fewest among players that had at least 225 at-bats. He was the highest-rated catcher in that category and the only one ranked in the top 10.
Janik was also a force behind the plate, allowed just nine stolen bases in 16 attempts on the season, cutting down seven baserunners (43.8%).
He played in all 56 games in 2024, making 55 starts, ranking among Big Ten leaders in hits (80, T-6th) and average (10th).
Janik posted a career-long 33-game on-base streak from March 24 - May 31 and recorded a season-high four hits on March 24 at Indiana. From April 26-30, he also tallied four-straight multi-hit performances.
His grand slam on May 17 at Purdue in the seventh inning to helped Illinois clinch the 2024 Big Ten championship. It also was the team's 100th home run of the year.
During his three seasons in Champaign, Janik slashed .336/.441/.533 in 121 games, 107 starts, with 18 home runs and 79 RBI.
