Tanner Roark, currently of the Toronto Blue Jays, has long represented the Illini in the MLB. Illinois as a program has been successful in having players reach the next level via the draft or as undrafted free agents, but this season might be the year Roark gets some Illini company at the highest level.
Former Illinois closer Joey Gerber has been selected to the Seattle Mariners special 60-man roster and has been invited to their training camp. Of the Mariners on the roster, Gerber is one of 22 non-roster invitees.
Gerber’s time in the pros began when he was drafted in the eighth round by the Mariners in the 2018 draft.