The Illinois baseball program found some success in the 2026 MLB draft, as left-handed pitcher Zach Bates was picked in round 20 by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bates, a junior from Columbia, Missouri, joined the Illini after transferring from Iowa Central Community College prior to the start of the 2025 season. That year, Bates became a member of the 2025 All-Big Ten third team, recording a 2.83 ERA and eight saves through 23 relief appearances.
The 21-year-old unfortunately missed the entire 2026 campaign due to injury, but was still selected by the Dodgers with pick No. 613. He wasn't the only Illini to find a home with a ball club, as fellow junior lefty Regan Hall recently signed with the Baltimore Orioles as an undrafted free agent.
Hall is headed to Baltimore.
— Illinois Baseball (@IlliniBaseball) July 13, 2026
Congrats to Regan Hall on signing with the Baltimore Orioles! pic.twitter.com/HW7lUMdUSh
Hall, a product of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been a regular fixture in Champaign for the past number of years. In three seasons with the program, Hall pitched a stout 185.2 innings, recording a 6.06 ERA and 148 strikeouts.
This will be the third time since 2024 that the Orioles organization has acquired a rookie from Illinois, joining fellow pitchers Jack Crowder and Joe Glassey.
Regan Hall can become an interesting prospect for the Baltimore Orioles with the right coaching
There are a lot of things to be excited about when it comes to Hall's game, especially when you look at his first five starts from last season. He looked like he was going to be the face of the rotation, recording a 2.10 ERA and 23 strikeouts against the likes of South Florida, USC, and Minnesota.
As the season progressed, Hall struggled to keep his command going during Big Ten play, and his ERA ballooned to 6.03 because of it. He still had his shining moments, like his shutout on May 8 against Northwestern, but he just couldn't keep that consistency through the rest of his starts.
Hall has shown plenty of upside during his time in Champaign, but he will need to bring his firepower to the next level when he heads to Baltimore. The Orioles are basically getting a blank canvas with a high ceiling, and someone who, if molded right, could be something special in this league.
Simply put, expect Hall to spend a lot of time in the minors as he works on his mechanics. But don't be afraid to take a look at his progression every once in a while.
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