Jacob Culp is giving Illinois State a sneaky-valuable relief arm
In the 2026 season, Jacob Culp has emerged as a useful bullpen piece for Illinois State, posting a 1-1 record with a 3.94 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 10 strikeouts, 1 save, and 16.0 innings through his tracked stat line. He’s shown versatility and late-game value, including a 1.2-inning scoreless save against Michigan State, plus scoreless relief work in key conference spots. The appeal is simple: he’s a competitive, strike-throwing reliever who can steady innings and handle leverage, making him a solid fit for a staff that wants toughness and reliability more than flash.
