Big-bodied UIC utility bat with pop, clutch RBI moments, and left-right versatility
In the 2026 season, James Hackett has emerged as a 6-foot-5, 215-pound switch-hitting utility piece for UIC who can move around the field and deliver timely offense, including a 422-foot grand slam for his first collegiate home run on April 14, 2026. He also chipped in multiple RBI in wins over Youngstown State, showing a knack for producing in pressure spots. The headline traits are size, contact-driven RBI ability, and lineup flexibility; the caution flag is that his 2026 overall batting line was modest, so he looks more like a situational impact bat than an all-around star right now.
