NORMAL, Ill. - Professional baseball is in full swing and Illinois State baseball alumni are scattered throughout the professional ranks. With numbers through June 14, here's a glimpse at all 11 active Redbirds in the pros.
Brock Stewart, RHP, Minnesota Twins (MLB)
Stewart completed a remarkable comeback to the Big Leagues with his Twins debut on April 27. Stewart had last pitched on 9/24/2019 with Toronto after being released by the Chicago Cubs in 2020, having Tommy John in 2021, and another elbow surgery in 2022.
In 2023, Stewart is 2-0 with one save and five holds. The Normal native has pitched in a career-high 21 games while firing 21 innings with 28 strikeouts (one shy of his 2017 career high), allowing just two runs in 331 pitches. Stewart has limited opponents to a lackluster .155 batting average.
The Twins currently lead the AL Central by 3.5 games over Cleveland.
Owen Miller, UTL, Milwaukee Brewers (MLB)
After being traded from Cleveland to Milwaukee in the offseason, Miller has become a mainstay in the Brewers' lineup.
Miller is a few weeks from meeting MLB plate appearance qualifying standards (needs 3.1 PA/team game; at 2.75), but his .301 batting average would rank 10th in the Big Leagues. Miller has also tallied four home runs and a career-high nine stolen bases.
Miller has played primarily second base for Milwaukee but has also seen significant time at third base while playing some first base, left field, and right field.
The Brewers are currently on the outside of the postseason picture but trail Pittsburgh by just a game in the NL Central while trailing by two games in the Wild Card race.
Paul DeJong, SS, St. Louis Cardinals (MLB)
After missing the first three weeks of the season due to injury, DeJong made a splash to open his 2023 season on April 23 in Seattle as the 2019 All-Star had three hits and a home run.
DeJong has since added eight home runs while playing in an everyday role at shortstop for St. Louis.
Brent Headrick, LHP, Minnesota Twins - St. Paul Saints (AAA)
Headrick made his Major League debut on April 19, throwing three innings and striking out three en route to recording his first career save. Headrick fanned the lone batter he faced in his next appearance before striking out eight batters, including 2022 AL MVP Aaron Judge, over five innings against the Yankees on April 26.
In total, Headrick has allowed three runs in 8.1 MLB innings while striking out 12.
Headrick has also impressed at the AAA level, recording a 4.23 ERA over 44.2 innings pitched and striking out 52.
Jeff Lindgren, RHP, Miami Marlins - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (AAA)
Lindgren made his Major League debut on April 3, eating up five innings for Miami while allowing four runs.
In 11 starts in AAA, Lindgren is 6-2 with a 4.55 ERA, fanning 43 batters over 55.1 innings.
Lindgren has named International League Pitcher of the Week on June 11 after throwing a complete-game two-hitter on June 7.
John Rave, OF, Kansas City Royals - Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA)
After being promoted on June 12, Rave has a pair of doubles and four RBIs at the AAA level.
In 54 games at AA, Rave hit .275 with 18 extra-base hits, including five home runs. Rave has added six stolen bases while also reaching at a robust .379 clip.
Hayden Jones, C, Cincinnati Reds - Dayton Dragons (High-A)
Jones is 9-for-33 (.273) in 11 games played while throwing out four of 11 attempted base stealers.
Matt Walker, LHP, Detroit Tigers - West Michigan Whitecaps (High-A)
Walker holds a 4.42 ERA in 116 career Minor League innings but is currently on the 60-day IL and has not pitched in 2023.
Colton Johnson, LHP, Oakland Athletics - Stockton Ports (High-A)
Johnson struck out seven in 3.1 innings in 2021 but has not pitched since due to injury.
Ryan Cermak, OF, Tampa Bay Rays - Charleston RiverDogs (A)
Cermak homered twice in 12 games to open his time in Charleston but has not played since April 23 due to injury.
Nick Gile, 3B, Colorado Rockies - ACL Rockies (R)
Gile is hitting .276 over 29 at-bats, homering once while reaching at a .400 clip.
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