Illinois Class of 2024: D1 Impact Performers
June 2, 2025
The 2024 class in the state of Illinois was filled with a plethora of talent, which saw ten names taken in the MLB draft and over 200 college commits, with nearly half of them being committed to D1 schools. As the college season ends and the postseason begins to ramp up, we wanted to highlight those from the 2024 class who stood out during their first year on campus. From Power Five programs to Mid-Majors, these freshmen took an early rise from their high school days.
HITTERS
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Tyler Bell SS / Lincoln-Way East, IL / 2024UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY While Bell was drafted with the 66th pick in the 2024 draft, he elected to play his freshman season with the Kentucky Wildcats and did not disappoint. The switch-hitter slashed .306/.384/.542 with 10 bombs, 17 doubles, 11 stolen bases, and a .926 OPS, placing him atop the Wildcats' lineup. The shortstop started every game this season, reaching base 51-of-52 games played. While the bat shinnied, the glove did as well. Bell committed only four errors, resulting in a .980 FLD%. All this en route to being named to the SEC Freshman Team of the Year, helping lead the Wildcats to an NCAA Tournament appearance. |
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Jimmy Janicki C / 3B / Downers Grove North, IL / 2024TROY UNIVERSITY Before the season even started, Janicki was already setting expectations high, being named the D1Baseball Preseason Sun Belt Freshman of the year. Much like Bell, he did not disappoint as the righty slashed .280/.367/.370 with two home runs and 12 doubles, starting in 51 games. Janicki was a key piece for the Trojans this season, but their season ended unexpectedly, being one of the first four teams left out of the NCAA tournament.
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Cooper Malamazian SS / 3B / Nazareth Academy, IL / 2024INDIANA UNIVERSITY Malamazian started the first month of the season primarily as a defensive substitution, but once Big Ten play began, he took over the reins at shortstop and never looked back. The shortstop took home Big Ten All-Freshman team honors, slashing .320/.394/.512 with a .832 OPS, four home runs, seventeen doubles, driving in 40. Malamazian also flashed the leather all season long, only committing eight errors, leading to a .945 FLD%. While Indiana’s season didn’t end the way they wanted, Malamazian will be a key piece in Indiana’s extremely young core for the coming years.
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Kenny Perez SS / 2B / De La Salle , IL / 2024WESTERN ILLINOIS Perez was a bright spot in the Leathernecks' lineup, starting in 47 games, slashing .268/.338/.402, with an OPS of .741, four home runs, and 12 doubles. The shortstop was named to the ALL-OVC Freshman Team, able to stabilize the middle of the lineup. With the glove, Perez was able to rack up 110 assists, leading the team in this category. As we look to the 2026 season, Perez will look to take control of the lineup as many of the Leatherneck starters are graduating. |
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Jackson Smith SS / 2B / Providence Catholic , IL / 2024BRADLEY UNIVERSITY Smith was able to earn a role as a starting shortstop for Bradley after a strong start to the season with a 2-for-3 game against Alabama. The lefty bat slashed .301/.404/.432 with three home runs, eight doubles, and ten stolen bases. His strong season gave the Braves valuable depth in the lineup and appears to have a bright future moving forward. |
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James Love 3B / SS / Joliet West, IL / 2024EASTERN ILLINOIS Love earned a starting role in the lineup and put together a strong second half for Eastern Illinois, emerging as one of the team’s top bats heading into the OVC Conference Tournament. The right-handed hitter slashed .310/.415/.483 with one home run, eight doubles, and 14 RBIs. He also showed well in the field at first base, putting up a .983 FLD% % for the season. He was rewarded for his strong season with a spot on the All-OVC Freshman Team. |
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Hank Gomric OF / Althoff Catholic, IL / 2024ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY Gormic took over the starting job after just two games and showed why he belonged. The lefty slashed .304/.395/.429, with a .824 OPS, five home runs, and 10 stolen bases. The outfielder tallied 118 putouts and one error, leading to a .992 FLD%. All this was en route to Gomric taking home A-10 Conference All-Rookie team honors. The lefty was a key piece in St. Louis’s season, which ended after a deep run in the Conference Tournament, but with only one starter graduating, Gormic will look to lead a young and hungry lineup into next season. |
PITCHERS
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Ethan Eberle LHP / Normal Community, IL / 2024UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE Eberle impressed early in the season out of his reliever role at Louisville, later stepping into the Cardinals’ starting rotation. The left-hander tossed 46.2 innings, with seven starts, a 5.01 ERA, 39 strikeouts, and a 5-2 record. His strong season helped him earn a spot on the ACC All-Freshman team, and he played a key role in helping Louisville secure a berth in the NCAA Regional Tournament.
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Max Kaplan LHP / New Trier, IL / 2024USC-UPSTATE Kaplan made an early impact for USC-Upstate, earning a role as both a spot starter and a key piece out of the bullpen throughout the season. He impressed in his first start against Le Moyne, tossing a complete game without allowing an earned run. The left-hander tossed 42.1 innings, with five starts, a 6.38 ERA, 46 strikeouts, a 3-1 record, and a save. His ability to eat up innings helped the Spartans secure a spot in the NCAA Regional Tournament. |
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Nate Harris RHP / Yorkville, IL / 2024UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY Harris earned a role as the third starter in a strong Kentucky Wildcats starting rotation and delivered consistently throughout the season. The right-hander tossed 53.1 innings across twelve starts, with a 4.22 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and a 4-2 record. His steady presence at the back end of the rotation provided much-needed depth in SEC play, and his ability to give the Wildcats competitive innings played a key role in helping them secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. |
HONORABLE MENTION
Jack Lausch⏐Brother Rice⏐Northwestern
.268/.345/.450, six home runs, and a 0.795 OPS
- While not a true freshman, this was Lausch’s first season with the Northwestern baseball team, as he had previously been in the quarterback room for the Northwestern football team.
Dayton Murphy⏐Crystal Lake South⏐Michigan State
.176/.286/.209
- Started every day for the Spartans, helping lead them to a Big 10 Tournament appearance.
Landon Mensik⏐Lincoln-Way Central⏐Xavier
.194/.322/.319 with two home runs
- Mensik started 16 out of the 32 games he appeared in and had an outstanding first month of the season, batting .300 with two home runs in his first 11 games.
Bryce Loeger⏐Conant⏐Dartmouth
6.61 ERA, 47.2 IP, 29 SO, 1 SV
- Loeger was a reliable arm both out of the pen and as a starter for Dartmouth. The righty appeared 12 times, nine as starts, and three out of the pen.
David Cox⏐Nazareth⏐UIC
.160/.239/.240, with two home runs, and five doubles
8.27 ERA and 16.1 IP
- Cox was able to serve as a solid two-way presence for UIC all season long. The righty made 37 starts in the infield while also serving as a starter and reliever, making five starts and two bullpen appearances.
Jackson Ugo⏐Andrew⏐Murray State
4.22 ERA, 10.2 IP
- Ugo served as a solid bullpen arm for Murray State.
Jake Ottensmeier⏐Highland⏐Eastern Illinois
.329/.354/.461, with a .815 OPS, four doubles, and three triples
- Ottensmeirer started in 15 games for the Panthers, but served as a pinch runner and defensive replacement for 18 other games.
Jameson Martin⏐St. Lawrence⏐Minnesota
.213/.349/.402, with seven home runs, and driving in 20
- Martin controlled the left side of the infield for the Gophers all season long, making 37 starts flipping from third base and shortstop.
Malachi Paplanus⏐Huntley⏐Wright State
6.37 ERA, 29.2 IP, 33 SO
- Paplanus served as a reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Raiders, while also making two starts.
Joshua Vaughn⏐Illini Bluffs⏐Bradley
8.19 ERA, 40.2 IP, 38 SO
- Vaughn did about everything on the mound for Bradley, making eight starts and five appearances out of the pen, solidifying himself as a reliable arm for the future.
Kris Alcorn⏐Collinsville⏐Lindenwood
7.67 ERA, 29.1 IP, 17 SO
- The left-handed pitcher solidified himself as the midweek starter, making nine starts and one appearance out of the bullpen.
Nick Baffa⏐Notre Dame College Prep⏐Valparaiso
7.62 ERA, 26.0IP, 23 SO
- Baffa made five starts and appeared out of the bullpen nine times, solidifying himself as a solid arm within the Valpo pitching staff.
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