2019 MLB Draft: Illinois right fielder Jack Yalowitz selected by Rockies in 10th round

Jack Yalowitz may have never reached his full potential during his time in Champaign, but you would be hard-pressed to find someone who cared more about the letters on the front of his jersey.

Now, Yalowitz will have a chance to wear some different letters.

Illinois’ senior right fielder was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 10th round of the 2019 MLB Draft.

The Chicago native entered his senior season with high expectations — ranked as the No. 29 senior in the nation by Perfect Game and the No. 40 MLB Draft prospect in the Big Ten, per D1Baseball.com — and he did not disappoint. Yalowitz started at least 41 games every year in Orange and Blue, earned All-Big Ten First-Team accolades in 2017 and was named Big Ten Player of the Week this March.

But where the lefty shined for Illinois was in his personality, durability and consistency. It’s not too often you find a four-year senior on a roster for any college sports team anymore, and it makes them all the more beloved when you see their hard work rewarded. For Yalowitz, it was with a NCAA Tournament berth as a senior and quite the rebound 2019 campaign (All-Big Ten Third-Team) after a disappointing 2018 (.216, four homers, 30 RBI).

Even with struggles at the plate at times, Yalowitz always brought his glove to the park, finishing the 2019 season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and only seven errors during his four-year career.

With the 5-foot-11 outfielder nearing age 23, Yalowitz is likely behind on the development track a MLB front office would like for a speedy, power-hitting outfielder, but he certainly has the tools and wherewithal to give it a shot to get to the big leagues.

To that, we tip our cap.

Congrats, Yalo.

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