Champaign native Kellen Sarver came to the University of Illinois in 2017 with a world of change. Not only did the Centennial (Champaign) High School graduate have to adjust to being a college student, but had to learn to play first base before he joined the Illini last fall.
“It was weird at first,” said Illinois teammate Jimmy Burnette. “I grew up playing with Kellen, we would play on the same travel team. It’s been cool to see how he transformed from a left-handed catcher.”
Sarver was originally recruited to play at Illinois as a catcher and third baseman, but since the Illini needed a future first baseman after Bren Spillane was drafted last year, Sarver stepped up.