Redbirds in the Pros: Recently Drafted Redbirds Thriving

A trio of recently drafted Redbirds made their professional debuts in the past weeks and continue to make Illinois State proud.

Outfielder John Rave, who heard his name called in the fifth round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Kansas City Royals, burst onto the scene with Rookie Advanced Affiliate Burlington Royals when he went 4-for-5 at the plate in his first game on June 18. Rave also added a RBI and three runs scored.

Joe Aeilts is also off to a strong start, batting .355/.459/.355 in 31 at-bats with the Class A Short Season Boise Hawks (Colorado Rockies). His .355 batting average currently leads the team and ranks third in the Northwest League.

Right-handed pitcher Jeff Lindgren recorded his first professional win in his debut with the Class A Short Season Batavia Muckdogs (Miami Marlins) on June 23, pitching two innings in relief while striking out two and tossing 15 of 20 pitches for strikes.

Both Brent Headrick and Matt Walker have been assigned to teams, but have yet to make their first appearances at the next level. Headrick is with the Rookie Advanced Elizabethton Twins (Minnesota Twins) and Walker has been assigned to the Class A Short Season Connecticut Tigers (Detroit Tigers).

With the addition of the 2019 Illinois State draft class, there are now 13 former Redbirds playing affiliated and independent professional baseball. They include:

Paul DeJong | MLB | St. Louis Cardinals

• Batting .264/.353/.472 with 19 doubles, 13 home runs, 35 RBI and 52 runs
• Went 2-for-4 at the plate while scoring a run in June 17's 5-0 victory over the Miami Marlins

Brock Stewart | Triple-A | Oklahoma City Dodgers (Los Angeles Dodgers)

• Currently 2-5 with a 6.29 ERA in 11 starts with 43 strikeouts and 25 walks spanning 48.2 innings
• Went five and two-thirds innings, giving up eight hits, three runs, and striking out three in a win at the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A Affiliate of the San Diego Padres on June 15.

Jeremy Rhoades | Triple-A | Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels)

• Owns a 2-1 record with four saves, posting a 6.48 ERA in 23 appearances spanning 33.1 innings
• Most recently was credited with the win in a June 20 victory over the Fresno Grizzlies, the Triple-A Affiliate of the Washington Nationals

Eric Aguilera | Triple-A, Mexican League | Algondoneros Union Laguna

• Batting .300/.356/.558 with 16 doubles, 11 home runs, 31 RBI and 41 runs
• Went 1-for-5 with an RBI at Yucatan in a 4-3 victory on June 22

Owen Miller | Double-A | Amarillo Sod Poodles (San Diego Padres)

• Batting .309/.367/.444 with 15 doubles, eight home runs, 40 RBI, and 36 runs
• Recently voted a 2019 Texas League All-Star on June 14. This is Miller's second All-Star bid, having earned the title last season while playing with the Class-A Northwest League Tri-City Dust Devils.

Will Headean | Class A Advanced | Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego Padres)

• Currently 0-1 on the season with a 5.40 ERA in nine appearance spanning 10.0 innings
• Pitched 1.1 innings in relief, giving up one hit and striking out two in a loss versus the Inland Empire 66ers, a Class A Advanced Affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels on June 22.

Ryan Court | Class A Short Season | Everett AquaSox (Seattle Mariners)

• Sent on rehab assignment with the AquaSox on June 22

Joe Aeilts | Class A Short Season | Boise Hawks (Colorado Rockies)

• Batting .355/.459/.359 with three RBI and five runs through nine games
• Aeilts currently leads the team in batting average (.355) in his 31 at-bats

Jeff Lindgren | Class A Short Season | Batavia Muckdogs (Miami Marlins)

• Recorded his first professional win in his debut with the Muckdogs on June 23, pitching two innings in relief while striking out two and tossing 15 of 20 pitches for strikes.

Matt Walker | Class A Short Season | Connecticut Tigers (Detroit Tigers)

John Rave | Rookie Advanced | Burlington Royals (Kansas City Royals)

• Batting .208/.387/.250 with one double, one RBI and five runs through six games
• Went 4-for-5 at the plate in his professional debut on June 18 versus the Bristol Pirates, adding a double, a RBI, and three runs

Brent Headrick | Rookie Advanced | Elizabethton Twins (Minnesota Twins)

Jack Landwehr | Frontier League | Schaumburg Boomers

• Started in three games this season and owns a 2.50 ERA spanning 18.0 innings

*All stats accurate as of June 24, 2019.

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