Chambana Sun

Jacob Schroeder, a redshirt senior catcher, has been named Big Ten Player of the Week for the second time this season. The announcement was made by the conference today.

Over four games, Schroeder achieved impressive statistics: he went 8-for-15 (.533) with eight runs scored, four home runs, 11 RBIs, and two walks. His on-base percentage stood at .632 while his slugging percentage reached an outstanding 1.333.

Schroeder began his week with a performance of 1-for-4 with a run and walk against Illinois State on April 9. He then excelled in a three-game series against Northern Illinois by going 7-for-11 (.636), scoring seven runs, hitting four home runs, securing 11 RBIs, and earning one walk. In the final game of the series on Sunday, he hit three home runs in one game for the first time in his career and achieved his second grand slam of the season while driving in eight runs—a career high. This feat made him the first Illini to record eight RBIs in a game since Bren Spillane did so on March 21, 2018.

Throughout his recent performances over the last 15 games, Schroeder has consistently hit safely in all but one game. He has gone 25-for-53 (.472) during this period with four doubles, seven home runs, and 26 RBIs. His efforts have raised his season average from .174 to .372—currently ranking eighth-highest in the Big Ten—and increased his OPS to a conference-leading figure of 1.292. Additionally, he leads in slugging percentage at .808 and ranks fourth for home runs with ten.

This recognition marks Schroeder's second Big Ten Player of the Week honor during his tenure with Illinois. He is also the second player from Illinois this season to receive multiple weekly honors alongside teammate Drake Westcott—a distinction not seen since two Illini players received multiple such honors back in 2015.