Ryan Bakes gives Illinois State a proven bat with middle-of-the-order pop
Ryan Bakes enters 2026 as a productive, experienced catcher/utility piece for Illinois State, with a career profile built on on-base ability and power rather than flash. Across the available stats, he has shown a solid .382 OBP, .515 SLG, 10 home runs, and 31 RBIs, while his high school track record and recruiting notes point to a right-handed hitter with real run-producing upside. The differentiator is his offensive reliability and versatility—he is the kind of player who can stabilize a lineup and fit a roster that values mature at-bats, power, and defensive flexibility.
