MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — Fresh out of high school, Ike Young was faced with a near-impossible decision.
Young, who signed with Illinois, was chosen in the 20th round by Tampa Bay. He opted to honor his commitment and declined the offer to play collegiate baseball.
“That’s the goal, you know, reaching that junior year and arriving at that draft year, you know, the aim is to be drafted again,” Young remarked. “But, you know, there are things I need to improve on. You know, I can progress. I’m far from reaching my full potential.”
This year’s draft saw two Illini athletes selected: Tyler Schmitt went to the Padres, and Julius Sanchez was picked by the Rangers. Young noted that witnessing the growth under head coach Dan Hartleb influenced his decision to remain.
“Just seeing those seniors that got drafted this year, you know, it just gives me the realization like, you know, I can do exactly what they’re doing,” said Young, who was named WCIA 3 Male Athlete of the Year in June.
Young made history as the first-ever Monticello High School graduate to be selected in the MLB Draft.
