Jacob McKenzie gives Southern Illinois a bat-first spark behind the plate
In the 2026 season, Southern Illinois catcher Jacob McKenzie has been a productive middle-order piece, hitting .302 with 4 home runs, 21 RBIs, 15 walks and an .884 OPS while starting 30 of 35 games. He’s shown real impact potential with multiple big-hit games, including a seven-RBI outburst in March and a return-from-injury homer in late April, which suggests toughness and quick offense when he’s right. If you want a catcher who can help the lineup immediately, McKenzie looks like a solid fit; the lingering question is how consistently he handles the physical load behind the dish.
