2026 Baseball Roster
Jersey Number 19
Daniel Contreras
- Year:
- Gr.
- Ht./Wt.:
- 5-11 / 195
- Position:
- C
- Hometown:
- Rockford, Ill.
- High School:
- Boylan Catholic HS
 University of Illinois Graduate |
CAREER HIGHS
- Hits: 3, 2x, last: vs. Michigan State, Feb. 27, 2026
- Doubles: 1, 7x, last: vs. Northwestern, May 8, 2026
- Triples: --
- Home runs: 1, 3x, last: vs. #19 Oregon, April 17, 2026
- Total bases: 5, vs. VCU, Feb. 20, 2026
- RBI: 3, vs. Indiana State, April 7, 2026
- Runs scored: 2, 6x, last: vs. Northwestern, May 8, 2026
- Walks: 2, at Purdue, April 4, 2026
- Hit by pitch: 1, 6x, last: at Indiana, May 15, 2026
- Sac flies: --
- Sac bunts: 1, 3x, last: vs. #20 Nebraska, April 24, 2026
- At bats: 6, 2x, last: vs. Michigan State, Feb. 27, 2026
- Stolen bases: 1, 4x, last: vs. #19 Oregon, April 18, 2026
- Field chances: 13, 2x, last: vs. Bradley, May 6, 2026
- Putouts: 13, 2x, last: vs. Bradley, May 6, 2026
- Assists: 2, vs. Minnesota, March 13, 2026
2026 - Graduate Student
- Played in 47 games, with 43 starts, during the 2026 season.
- Slashed .238/.309/.335 with 39 hits, 24 runs, seven doubles, three home runs, 22 RBI, and 11 walks.
- Posted nine multi-hit games and two outings with multiple RBI.
- Recorded his longest reached-base streak of 13 games.
- Notched a .984 fielding percentage with 176 putouts and 10 assists.
- Made his Illinois debut on Feb. 13 at South Florida.
- Went 3-for-4 while making his first start at catcher on Feb. 14 at South Florida.
- Hit a home run in the series finale at South Florida on Feb. 15.
- Posted a 2-for-5 outing with a home run vs. VCU on Feb. 20.
- Went 2-for-6 with a double and an RBI at #6 Coastal Carolina on Feb. 22.
- Logged three hits, an RBI, and a double vs. Michigan State on Feb. 27.
- Registered a seven-game hitting streak from Feb. 22-March 7.
- Reached base four times (two hits, two walks) and scored twice at Purdue on April 4.
- Tallied a 2-for-4 day with a season-high three RBI vs. Indiana State on April 7.
- Hit his first Big Ten home run vs. #19 Oregon on April 17.
2025 - Senior (at Illinois State)
- Appeared in 53 games while making 52 starts.
- Recorded 58 hits on 193 at-bats.
- Posted 38 RBI and slashed a hitting line of .301/.389/.352.
- Defensively, finished with 377 total putouts and 25 assists.
- Caught 11 runners stealing.
2024 - Junior (at Illinois State)
- Appeared in 31 games, including 30 starts.
- Recorded 31 hits in 107 at-bats.
- Logged nine RBI and slashed a hitting line of .290/.377/.336.
- Defensively, finished with 202 total putouts and 16 assists.
- Caught six runners stealing.
2023 - Sophomore (at Wabash Valley CC)
- Slashed .301/.455/.346 with 29 runs, 41 hits, six doubles, 28 walks, and 34 RBI.
- Collected two hits and two runs scored vs. Weatherford in the NJCAA World Series (5/31/23).
- Delivered two hits, two runs, and two RBI vs. South Suburban (5/19/23).
- Went 3-for-4 with two RBI at Olney Central (5/1/23).
- Scored three runs and drove in two at Shawnee CC (3/28/23).
- Went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a double at Frontier CC (3/11/23).
2022 - Freshman (at Iowa Western CC)
- Played in 44 games with 133 plate appearances.
- Slashed .380/.477/.500 with 41 hits, five doubles, one triple, two home runs and 23 RBI.
- Ranked among team leaders in batting average and on-base percentage.
- Hit safely in 28 games, including 12 multi-hit performances.
- Registered his first collegiate home run against Ellsworth CC (5/7/22).
- Went 2-for-4 with three RBI at Southwestern (4/6/22).
- Recorded a .917 OPS across conference play, slashing .347/.448/.469 with 17 hits, three doubles, one home run, 11 RBI, and 15 runs scored in 21 league games.
HIGH SCHOOL
- Three-year letterwinner at Boylan Catholic (2018, 2019, 2021).
- Three-time All-Conference.
PERSONAL
- Born on Jan. 7, 2003.
- Son of Armando and Irma Contreras.
- Has one brother, Nico.
- Pursuing a graduate certificate in strategic leadership and management.
Wednesday, March 19
Thursday, February 13
Monday, December 09
Friday, September 22
