Illinois basketball would make quite a baseball team

Illinois basketball is still in offseason mode. Of note, last week, they announced that the team will be attending the Cubs vs. Royals game on Wednesday, July 23rd at Wrigley Field. They were asked some baseball-specific questions, and only a handful of them seemed familiar with the sport.

Nonetheless, I’ve put together my thoughts on how the Illini would field a baseball team:

SP: Tomislav Ivisic

Tomi is a towering lefty, much like those we often see in MLB. The 7’1″ southpaw would be a finesse pitcher, nearly unhittable against fellow lefties. His commanding presence on the mound would allow him to paint the corners with a deceptive changeup and a curveball that looks like it’s headed straight for the batter’s helmet before dropping in the zone.

C: Kylan Boswell

Veteran leadership is crucial behind the plate, and Boswell fits the mold perfectly. The four-year guard will be a vocal leader this season on the court, and he’d thrive calling a smart game for his battery mate Tomi. Known for his toughness and physical defense, catcher feels like a natural position.

1B: Ben Humrichous
Humrichous offers a tall target at first base for Rodgers, Lee, and Stojakovic to hit. The 6’9″ forward answered a few of the baseball questions correctly, giving the infield a bit of prior baseball knowledge. He’d be key in coordinating defensive plays and situational awareness.

2B: Brandon Lee
Lee is a terrific athlete for a guard, but on the smaller side compared to his teammates, making second base an ideal fit. The 6’4″ freshman was a Top 100 recruit (per 247 Sports) and would inject youthful energy into a veteran-heavy infield.

SS: Andrej Stojakovic
Growing up, the best athlete usually played shortstop, and that fits Stojakovic perfectly. One of the most dynamic players on the Illini roster and a highly touted recruit, Andrej’s athleticism and instincts make shortstop the obvious choice.

3B: Ty Rodgers
Rodgers follows the shortstop logic, stacking elite athleticism on the left side of the infield. Pending the outcome of his knee injury diagnosis, Ty would bring power to the plate and quick reactions to the hot corner.

Outfield: Keaton Wagler, Jake Davis & Jason Jakstys
With all three players standing 6’6” or taller and boasting solid speed, this outfield would cover tremendous ground. Wagler, a quick guard, slots into center field. Davis and Jakstys round out left and right field with strong arms to gun down runners on the base paths.

DH: David Mirkovic

Mirkovic will look to establish himself this season as a force in the paint, which translates well to a designated hitter role. The 6’9″ forward will certainly bring raw power, focusing solely on driving extra-base hits.

Closer: Zvonimir Ivisic
Just like his twin brother Tomi, Zvonimir would bring an intimidating presence to the mound, especially in the 9th inning. The 7’2″ right-hander would rely more on overpowering pitches, blowing batters away to seal the win.

Utility: AJ Redd & Blake Fagbemi
Both AJ and Blake are versatile assets off the bench, capable of filling in at multiple positions. They would certainly be glue guys in the locker room and ready to step up if anyone lands on the Injured List.

10-Day IL: Mihailo Petrovic
Petrovic hasn’t officially joined the Illinois basketball team yet, so he’s currently slotted onto the 40-man roster but on the 10-day IL. Once activated, he’ll bring valuable depth to the lineup despite his short-term status remaining uncertain.

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