Normal, Ill. – The 2026 MLB season is in the midst of the All-Star break, as Illinois State baseball alumni are spread out across various levels of professional baseball. Here is a glimpse at the 11 Redbirds in the pros.
Brent Headrick, LHP, New York Yankees (MLB)
Headrick has recorded a team-high and second-most appearances in the American League with 47 for New York in 2026, last pitching on July 11 against Washington, collecting a win in the team's 4-2 victory. The left-hander is in his second season in the Yankees' organization, spending his first six seasons in the Minnesota Twins' organization.
This season, Headrick has a 5-1 record with 10 holds. The Braidwood, Ill., native has collected an outstanding 1.55 ERA over 46 1/3 innings of work, allowing eight earned runs and 17 walks. He has collected a 1.19 WHIP and a team-best 53 strikeouts among Yankee relievers.
The Yankees currently are in second place in the American League East division with a record of 54-42, trailing the Tampa Bay Rays by three games at the All-Star break. The team sits in the top wild-card position in the American League, leading the Cleveland Guardians by 3 1/2 games.
John Rave, OF, Kansas City Royals (MLB) / Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA)
Rave has spent the 2026 season between Kansas City and Omaha, appearing in a total of 77 games this year.
In 68 games with the Storm Chasers, Rave has collected impressive offensive numbers, recording a .273 batting average, 11 home runs, 38 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, an .384 OBP, and a team-high 42 walks.
The Canton, Ill., native appeared in nine games for Kansas City between June 15 and June 30. He gathered a batting average of .222, along with four hits, one home run, one RBI, three walks, and three runs scored.
Brock Stewart, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) / Oklahoma City Comets (AAA) / Ontario Tower Buzzers (A)
Stewart has split time between Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, and Ontario during the 2026 season, playing in 22 games. He was traded back to Los Angeles from the Minnesota Twins on July 31, 2025, after spending previous time with the Dodgers from 2016-19.
In 10 appearances with the Dodgers, Stewart has recorded a stellar 2.79 ERA across 9 2/3 innings of work. He has collected 10 strikeouts with a 1.03 WHIP, helping him earn three holds on the year. The right-hander has allowed five hits and three walks, along with an outstanding .147 batting average against hitters.
Stewart spent time in Oklahoma City and Ontario on separate rehab assignments throughout the season. He has appeared in 12 games, including six with each organization. The Normal, Ill., native had thrown 10 1/3 innings during his two stints, gathering a fantastic 0.87 ERA and 18 strikeouts. He allowed eight hits and three walks, registering a 1.06 WHIP.
Ryan Cermak, SS, Tampa Bay Rays – FCL Rays (R) / Bowling Green Hot Rods (A+)
Cermak played two games with the FCL Rays, hitting 3-for-6 with two home runs and two RBIs during a rehab assignment.
The Hinsdale, Ill., native is currently on the 60-day injured list with Bowling Green. He has not appeared in a game with the Hot Rods this season.
Tyrelle Chadwick, RHP, Colorado Rockies – Fresno Grizzlies (A)
Chadwick has made eight appearances with the Fresno Grizzlies during the 2026 season, tossing 17 2/3 innings out of the bullpen.
The right-hander has collected a 2-0 record with a 6.62 ERA and 1.75 WHIP. He has allowed eight walks and struck out eight batters throughout the season.
The native of Burnaby, B.C., Canada, is currently on the seven-day injured list, having last appeared in a game on April 30.
Paul DeJong, 3B, Detroit Tigers – Toledo Mud Hens (AAA) / New York Yankees – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA)
In 2026, DeJong has been a part of Toledo and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, appearing in 29 games.
DeJong began the season playing in 23 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hitting .203 with six home runs, 13 RBIs, 13 hits, and 16 walks. He was released from the team on May 1.
The Antioch, Ill., native signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers on May 5, after which he was optioned to Toledo. He appeared in six games for the Mud Hens, hitting .143 with three hits, five walks, and four runs scored.
DeJong was released by Toledo on May 25 after being placed on the full-season injured list on May 19.
Owen Miller, 2B, Chicago Cubs – Iowa Cubs (AAA)
Miller has spent the 2026 season in Iowa, appearing in 70 games. He signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs to a minor league contract, where he was assigned to play in Iowa.
The Fredonia, Wis., native has recorded a fantastic .305 average with five home runs, 42 RBIs, 81 hits, 19 doubles, 21 walks, and an .840 OPS. He is tied for first in the International League with six triples, matching fellow teammate BJ Murray's total on the year.
Judah Morris, 1B, Athletics – ACL Athletics (R) / Stockton Ports (A)
Morris began the 2026 season in Stockton before being assigned to the ACL Athletics on April 20.
In Stockton, Morris appeared in seven games, hitting .179 with an .554 OPS. He collected five hits, three runs scored, two doubles, two walks, and 10 RBIs.
With the ACL Athletics, the Mather, Calif., native has slashed a .262 average with two home runs and 18 RBIs across 34 games. He has also tallied 28 hits, 8 doubles, 16 runs scored, 25 walks, and an .821 OPS with the team.
Tanner Perry, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers – Wilson Warbirds (A) / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A+)
Perry has split time between Wilson and Wisconsin across 17 games in the 2026 season.
The right-hander began the season with the Warbirds, gathering an excellent 2.81 ERA with a 2-1 record in nine games. He tossed 25 2/3 innings with 31 strikeouts, allowing 20 hits and 12 walks for a 1.25 WHIP.
Perry was promoted to Wisconsin on May 26, where he has appeared in eight games. He has collected a 2-0 record with a 6.23 ERA over 17 1/3 innings pitched, striking out 12 batters along the way. He has allowed 18 hits and seven walks for a 1.44 WHIP on the season.
The O'Fallon, Mo., native has registered an overall record of 4-1 with a 4.19 ERA in 2026, holding hitters to a .239 batting average over 43 innings of work.
Elijah Dale, RHP, Seattle Mariners – Everett AquaSox (A+)
Dale is currently on the 60-day injured list for the Everett AquaSox, having yet to appear in a game in the 2026 season.
He appeared in 24 games for Everett in 2025, collecting a 1-2 record with a 5.52 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. He pitched 31 innings, recording 33 strikeouts and allowing a .179 batting average against hitters.
Shai Robinson, SS, Minnesota Twins – Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (A)
Robinson was placed on the full-season injured list by Fort Myers on March 30.
He appeared in four games for the Mighty Mussels in 2025, hitting 1-for-13 with a single, a run scored, and four walks.
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