AWARDS & HONORS

• 2026 NCAA Division I Midwest ABCA All-Region First Team
• 2026 All-MVC First Team
• Four-time 2026 MVC Player of the Week (March 3, March 23, April 27, May 5)
• Two-time 2026 Baseball America College Team of the Week Honoree (Weeks 6 and 11)
• 2026 NCWBA Dick Howser Trophy National Co-Hitter of the Week (March 24)

MLB Draft: Bakes was selected 399th overall in the 13th round by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2026 MLB Draft.

2026: Started all 57 games for the Redbirds… Gathered numerous team-high statistics during the season, including totals of .393/.482/.709, 16 home runs, 52 RBIs, 92 hits, 55 runs scored, 22 doubles, and 38 walks… One of two Redbirds to collect more walks than strikeouts throughout the season… Finished third in the MVC in batting average, tied for third in home runs, sixth in RBIs, second in slugging percentage, and first in doubles… Placed 15th in NCAA Division I with 92 hits… Hit .667 (12-for-18) from March 18-22 with five home runs, 13 RBIs, and eight runs scored, helping him earn his second MVC Player of the Week honor, second Baseball American College Team of the Week honor, and first National Co-Hitter of the Week honor… Named to the All-MVC First Team on May 19 after collecting career-best totals in numerous categories, including becoming the program leader in single-season hits with 92… Led the MVC with four Player of the Week selections… Finished second in MVC Player of the Year voting, receiving three first-place votes.

2025: Made 44 starts across 46 appearances in his rookie campaign... Hit eight home runs throughout the season... Reached base at a .407 mark while tallying 38 RBIs and 42 runs scored… Recorded a three-home run performance against Belmont (Mar. 23).

2024 (Indiana): Medical Redshirt.

Previous: Played three seasons of high school baseball at Huntley under head coach Andy Jakubowski… Two-time All-State selection by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association… Fox Valley Conference Player of the Year… Two-time Perfect Game All-American… Hit .394 with 43 hits, 10 home runs, 11 doubles, and 36 RBIs as a senior… Helped Huntley to three-straight conference and regional titles… Ranked as the No. 237 overall prospect by Perfect Game and the No. 45 overall outfielder… Ranked as the No. 10 prospect overall in the state of Illinois. Played travel ball for the GBR Rays.

Personal: Son of Chris and Melissa Bakes... has two siblings, Ryan and Mikayla... twin brother, Ryan, plays alongside at Illinois State after transferring from South Carolina.