You’re interested in playing college baseball, but what are your chances of making it to the next level? While many tout national probability as gospel, it turns out your odds of playing at the next level vary greatly depending on where you live.
If you live in Illinois and are wondering what percentage of high school graduates from your state play at each college level and where they are playing, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we team up with our friends at College Baseball Insights to provide you with state-level overview of your chances to play at the next level.
You can see an overview of our resources, methodology, and limitations on our College Baseball Participation Overview Main Page, as well find overviews on other states and regions.
Illinois by the Numbers
In the table below, you’ll see how many high school players from Illinois are playing at each level of college baseball, the probability of playing at each college level, and how Illinois compares nationally and to other states in the Midwest Region. You can see the complete Midwest breakdown HERE.
Where Are They Playing?
Images and data credit: College Baseball Insights
The Breakdown
With high school participation that ranks in the top 5 nationally, it’s no surprise that Illinois residents are well represented in college baseball at every level. The probability of playing college at any level for Illinois residents (16.38%) is well above the national average of 12.58%. That number is buoyed by well above average representation in both NCAA-D3 and JUCO baseball and above average NAIA representation. NCAA-D1 and D2 marks fall slightly below average. A glance at state insights for Illinois on College Baseball Insights shows that the overwhelming majority of residents who play at the next level are doing so in-state or in neighboring states. The numbers by level all make sense for the Prairie State, given the density of NCAA-D3 (21 programs, tied with Wisconsin for 4th most in country) and JUCO (38 programs, the most of any state outside of California) programs in Illinois and the surrounding states.
Want to see additional states and regional breakdowns? Find them HERE.
Limitations
This article was written with data and insights from 3rd party sources, College Baseball Insights and NFHS High School Participation Data. Data and insights are subject to revision and/or change. We’ve attempted to display as accurate a picture as possible with the information that is available. Readers should be aware that college baseball roster data is fluid and changes throughout the year. Every attempt is made to reconcile data and keep up with changes, but this article may not reflect the changes or updates from 3rd parties. Insights cannot account for gap year programs, misreported roster information, or other inaccuracies which may slightly alter the numbers and percentages used in this article. Insights are subject to change and are based on best available information.
