2026 Baseball Roster
Jersey Number 14
AJ Putty
- Year:
- Fr.
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-4 / 210
- Position:
- INF
- Hometown:
- McHenry, Ill.
- High School:
- Huntley HS
 2026 Big Ten All-Freshman Team |
CAREER HIGHS
- Hits: 5, at #6 Coastal Carolina, Feb. 22, 2026
- Doubles: 3, at #6 Coastal Carolina, Feb. 22, 2026
- Triples: 1, vs. Lindenwood, Feb. 25, 2026
- Home runs: 2, vs. SIUE, April 14, 2026
- Total bases: 11, at #6 Coastal Carolina, Feb. 22, 2026
- RBI: 7, at #6 Coastal Carolina, Feb. 22, 2026
- Runs scored: 3, 3x, last: vs. #19 Oregon, April 18, 2026
- Walks: 3, 2x, last: vs. #19 Oregon, April 18, 2026
- Hit by pitch: 1, 4x, last: vs. Northwestern, May 10, 2026
- Sac flies: 1, 5x, last: vs. Bradley, May 6, 2026
- Sac bunts: --
- At bats: 6, 2x, last: at Indiana State, March 18, 2026
- Stolen bases: 1, 3x, vs. Indiana State, April 7, 2026
- Field chances: 17, vs. Rutgers, March 20, 2026
- Putouts: 16, vs. Rutgers, March 20, 2026
- Assists: 3, 2x, last: at Iowa, May 2, 2026
2026 - FRESHMAN
- 2026 Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
- Perfect Game Midseason Freshman All-America First Team.
- Started all 55 games in his freshman season with the Fighting Illini.
- Slashed .313/.396/.507 with nine home runs, 52 RBI, 68 hits, and 110 total bases.
- Led the Illini in batting average, hits, and RBI.
- Posted 18 multi-hit games and 13 outings with multiple RBI.
- His 68 hits are the fifth-most by a freshman in a single season in program history.
- His 52 RBI are tied for the second-most by a freshman in a single season in program history.
- His nine home runs are the sixth-most by a freshman in a single season in program history.
- Recorded the most hits by an Illini freshman since 2017, the most home runs by an Illini freshman since 2009, and the most RBI by an Illini freshman since 2002.
- Logged a .992 fielding percentage with 460 putouts and 35 assists with only four errors on 499 total chances.
- Made his Illinois debut at South Florida on Feb. 13.
- Went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI in his Illinois Field debut vs. Butler on Feb. 17.
- Delivered a career day on Feb. 22 at Coastal Carolina, going 5-for-6 with three doubles, a home run, three runs scored, and a career-high seven RBI.
- Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the first time in his career on Feb. 23.
- Went 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored vs. Western Illinois on March 10.
- Posted a 4-for-5 day at the plate with five RBI vs. Rutgers on March 20.
- Secured the first multi-homer day for an Illini freshman since 2019 with two home runs, three RBI, and three hits vs. SIUE on April 14.
- Went 2-for-4 with four RBI vs. Illinois State on April 21.
- Tallied a 3-for-5 effort with a double and two runs scored at Iowa on May 3.
- Made his Big Ten Tournament debut vs. Iowa on May 19, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored.
HIGH SCHOOL
- Ranked as the #1 first baseman in Illinois in the Class of 2025 by Perfect Game.
- Tabbed as the #22 overall prospect in Illinois in the Class of 2025 by Perfect Game.
- Four-year varsity starter at Huntley High School.
- Won Illinois conference and regional titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
- 2023 Future Gamer.
PERSONAL
- Born on June 7, 2006.
- Son of Brian and Karen Putty.
- Has one brother, Dillon Putty.
- Brother played baseball at McHenry County College.
- 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.”
- Also recruited by Cincinnati, Western Kentucky, Eastern Illinois, and UIC.
- Pursuing a degree in recreation, sport, and tourism with a focus on sport management.
Wednesday, March 19
Thursday, February 13
Monday, December 09
Friday, September 22
