The Land of Lincoln has become a hotbed for baseball talent in recent years. Prospects from the state are littered throughout professional baseball and across all levels. With the 2024 Minor League Baseball season concluding recently, we wanted to highlight a variety of players from Illinois that put together impressive campaigns this season.

NL EAST

There are a handful of prospects from Illinois in the farm systems of the NL East. The Miami Marlins have a pair of prospects from the state that made noise during the 2024 season: C/INF Ryan Ignoffo (Cary-Grove, 2018; Eastern Illinois) and LHP Emmett Olson (Maine West, 2020; Nebraska). Ignoffo, who was selected in the 20th round of last year’s draft, saw plenty of success in his first professional season. He slashed .324/.374/.469 in 386 ABs across two different levels. Ignoffo was named the Florida State League Player of the Week from July 22nd-28th, and was rewarded with Florida State League All-Star honors following the season. Similar to Ignoffo and Head, Olson was also a 2023 draft pick. The southpaw pitched to a 3.16 ERA in 102.2 innings pitched across the A and High-A levels. Olson earned Midwest League Pitcher of the Week honors for the week of August 20th-25th after tossing five no-hit frames and racking up nine strikeouts in his August 23rd appearance.

The New York Mets have a pair of arms from the state of Illinois in their farm system, RHP Eric Orze (Glenbard North, 2015; New Orleans) and RHP Jack Wenninger (Cary-Grove, 2020; Illinois), Orze, a 2020 draft pick, put together a stellar campaign in AAA this season. The Glenbard North alum pitched to a 2.92 ERA in 61.2 IP while punching out 32.7% of the hitters he faced. His success during the first half of the season earned him a call to the big leagues on July 6th and debuted two days later. Wenninger, a member of New York’s 2023 draft class, tossed 115 innings across the A and High-A levels this season. During his first professional campaign, he recorded 10.96 K/9.

The Atlanta Braves used their 2022 first round draft pick on two-time Prep Baseball Illinois Player of the Year RHP Owen Murphy (Riverside-Brookfield). Despite his 2024 campaign being cut short by an injury, Murphy dazzled when he was healthy. Across 41 innings pitched this year, he pitched to a 1.54 ERA while striking out 38.7% of opposing hitters. Despite missing most of the season, Murphy still was named South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week twice within the first six weeks of the season. He dominated the month of April, recording a 1.13 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 24 innings en route to South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month honors.

Man of the month. 💪

Owen Murphy’s atomic April lands him South Atlantic League Pitcher Of The Month. @MiLB | #RuleTheLand 🐧 pic.twitter.com/PrgXEDA4Z2

— Rome Emperors (@GoEmperors) May 3, 2024

Here's what our staff had to say about Murphy in the spring of 2022:
"Notre Dame commit, currently ranked No. 2 in Illinois and No. 32 in the country. Lean frame, round shoulders with an athletic build, 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. Started on the mound for Riverside-Brookfield and went six innings with 14 strikeouts, no walks, two hits allowed and didn’t allow a single run. The right-hander’s arm plays short and clean throughout his arm circle, moving into a consistent ¾ slot with above-average arm-speed, repeating with ease. Murphy utilizes a controlled pace throughout his entire delivery; coiling into a flexible leg-kick before moving athletically down the mound from a slightly bent back-knee at balance point, remaining in-line to the plate with his stride and landing with a slightly closed front foot. The Notre Dame commit was in control the entire time he was on the mound, controlling the glove side of the plate to righties with his fastball throughout his outing; cruising at 91-93 mph while reaching back for 94 mph multiple times, also showcasing exceptional control over the zone - playing with noticeable life out of the hand and running action to the arm-side. Murphy hardly needed a second pitch, going to the breaking ball only a few times throughout his start but flashing it when necessary; playing at 77-80 mph with tight spin, acting slurvy at times off a sharp 11/5 plane with depth. He flashed a slider/cutter in warmups at 84 mph, entering the zone from a short 10/4 plane and playing with late action. Murphy also showcased his knack for handling the bat; hitting out of the two-hole and finishing the day 2-for-4 with two home runs, four RBIs, a walk and a stolen base. His approach at the plate is highly mature for his age, controls the zone, sees the ball deep and is selectively aggressive. Minimal wasted movement, moving with a fluid load into a repeatable/short stride; coils slightly before footplant and flashes quick, strong hands and a direct swing that stays flat through the zone. Murphy is one of the premier two-way athletes in the entire state, and has a legitimate chance to see time on both the mound and at the plate at the next level, the only question is what the next level will be."