AWARDS & HONORS
- 2026 All-MVC Honorable Mention
- 2026 MVC Newcomer of the Week (April 27)
2026: Started 52 games in his first season with the Redbirds… Notched a batting average of .245 with 12 home runs, 35 RBIs, 13 doubles, 30 walks, 40 runs scored, and 47 hits… Hit by a pitch a team-high 13 times during the season… Led the team with 237 putouts defensively… Caught runners stealing 13 times for a .735 stolen base against percentage… Named MVC Newcomer of the Week on April 27 after recording six extra-base hits throughout the week, including a career-best, five-RBI performance on April 24 against Bradley with a grand slam… Picked off three runners on the bases against Bradley on April 25… Named to the All-MVC Honorable Mention team on May 19 after tallying career-best totals in hits, home runs, and RBIs.
2025 (South Carolina): Played in 19 games, making six starts in his sophomore season… Scored three runs, added a pair of extra-base hits, and drove in five runs in 2025... Recorded first career home run with a blast and three RBI’s against Milwaukee (Feb. 23).
2024 (South Carolina): Made six starts in 12 appearances for the Gamecocks in his freshman campaign… Recorded two doubles, five RBIs, and three runs scored during the season... Tallied a three-hit performance with three RBIs versus Queens (Feb. 21).
Previous: All-State selection in his senior season at Huntley High School… 2023 Northwest Herald Baseball Player of the Year… 2023 NHSBCA All-Region 4… Hit at a .406 clip with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs in his senior season… Ranked as the no. 9 player in the state of Illinois and the 15th-best catcher in the 2023 recruiting class according to Perfect Game.
Personal: Son of Melissa and Christopher Bakes, his twin brother Brayden also plays at Illinois State.
