The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the 20th‑round selection of left‑handed pitcher Zach Bates in the 2026 MLB Draft, a move that underscores the club’s confidence in his potential despite a challenging recent stretch.
Bates arrives after a standout 2025 campaign in which he earned All‑Big Ten Third Team honors while playing for the Fighting Illini. That season he posted eight saves, a 2.83 ERA and limited opponents to a .153 batting average, striking out 34 batters over 28.2 innings.
The Illinois native had transferred to the University of Illinois after a stint at Iowa Central Community College, bringing a blend of mid‑west grit and refined pitching mechanics to the collegiate ranks.
A Year Lost, A Future Gained
A shoulder injury forced Bates to sit out the entire 2026 season, a setback that kept him off the mound when scouts were watching most closely. The missed year, however, did not diminish his draft stock; rather, it added a narrative of resilience that resonated with the Dodgers’ development staff.
Bates will now attempt to translate his collegiate success into professional performance, joining an organization with a rich history of nurturing pitching talent. His addition marks a symbolic milestone, as he becomes the first Illini drafted by the Dodgers since 2019, a connection that ties the present to a lineage of mid‑western arms who have left their mark in the majors.