Big-bodied graduate righty who gave Illinois steady midweek innings in 2026
Richie LaCien is a 6-foot-2, 235-pound graduate student right-hander whose calling card is veteran poise and usable strike-throwing depth; in the 2026 season at Illinois, he appeared in seven games, worked 9.1 innings, went 1-0 with a 5.79 ERA, and struck out seven, including a scoreless relief outing against Oregon and two-inning appearances that showed he can handle multiple frames. His appeal is less about flashy velocity in the public notes and more about competitiveness, role flexibility, and being a reliable, experienced arm who can stabilize the back half of a staff.
