Illinois’ 6-foot-6 freshman lefty already looks like a future weekend anchor
In the 2026 season, Flinn was one of Illinois’ breakout arms, posting a 2.79 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 61.1 innings, a tiny 0.83 WHIP, and just 13 walks—elite freshman efficiency by any measure. The 6'6" southpaw earned Freshman All-America honors from Baseball America, D1Baseball, NCBWA, and Perfect Game, and even drew a USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp invite. What makes him pop: big-frame projection, strike-throwing feel, and the kind of composure that lets him miss bats without living in the danger zone.
