Illini Baseball Inks Four to 2024 Class

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois baseball program announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.

“I am extremely excited about our 2024 signing class,” head coach Dan Hartleb said. “We have four very athletic and competitive baseball student-athletes. This group has excelled against some of the best competition in the country.”

“We have filled some big needs with very quality athletes who have a high ceiling. Our staff did a great job of identifying and securing commitments from this sought-after class. We are looking forward to working with the entire group.”

Mitch Dye / RHP

6-3 / 195 / L-R

Springfield, Ill. / Lincoln Land Community College / Sacred Heart-Griffin

• 2023 MWAC All-Conference; 2022 Central State Eight All-Conference and Player of the Year finalist.
• Went 9-3 with a 5.13 ERA (41 ER/72.0 IP) in 17 games, 14 starts in his lone season at Lincoln Land CC… Tossed two complete games.
• Struck out 91 batters in his 72.0 innings of work at Lincoln Land CC.
• Ranked as the No. 148 player in Illinois in the 2022 class.
• Chose Illinois: “It has always been my dream school. It has felt like home since I can remember.”
• 2022-23 NJCAA Academic All-American.
• Son of Duane and Lori Dye. Has one sister, Maya.
• Faced off against current Illini pitcher Jake Swartz in high school; Played with current Illini Connor Milton and Logan Tabeling with the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes of the MLB Draft League.
• Was also recruited by Purdue, Indiana State, Coastal Carolina and Campbell.

Luke Landrus / C

6-2 / 185 / R-R

St. Joseph, Ill. / St. Joseph-Ogden 

• 2023 Illini Prairie Conference First-Team All-Conference and team MVP; 2022 second-team all-conference.
• Slashed .352/.418/.555/.972 his junior year in 2023 with 30 HR and 35 RBI to go along with 41 runs scored and 20 stolen bases.
• Earned a News-Gazette Player of the Week honor his junior season.
• 2023 WWBA First Team All-Tournament for the Cincinnati Reds scout team.
• Ranked as the No. 4 catcher in the state, according to Perfect Game, and also the No. 13 overall player in Illinois; Earned a No. 442 national ranking from Perfect Game as well as the No. 51-ranked catcher in the country.
• Chose Illinois: “I loved the coaching staff at Illinois and the way they treated me on my visit. Ever since I was…