2026 Baseball Roster
Jersey Number 31
J.R. Nelson
- Year:
- Jr.
- Ht./Wt.:
- 5-8 / 175
- Position:
- INF
- Hometown:
- Pewaukee, Wis.
- High School:
- Adlai E. Stevenson HS
CAREER HIGHS
- Hits: 3, 2x, last: at Penn State, March 29, 2026
- Doubles: 1, 6x, last: vs. Bradley, May 6, 2026
- Triples: --
- Home runs: 1, 2x, last: vs. SIUE, April 14, 2026
- Total bases: 7, vs. Rutgers, March 21, 2026
- RBI: 3, vs. Western Illinois, March 10, 2026
- Runs scored: 4, vs. Rutgers, March 21, 2026
- Walks: 3, vs. Rutgers, March 22, 2026
- Hit by pitch: 2, vs. Lindenwood, Feb. 25, 2026
- Sac flies: 1, 4x, last: vs. #20 Nebraska, April 25, 2026
- Sac bunts: 1, 4x, last: vs. #20 Nebraska, April 24, 2026
- At bats: 5, 2x, last: vs. #19 Oregon, April 18, 2026
- Stolen bases: 1, 3x, last: at Iowa, May 3, 2026
- Field chances: 9, at South Florida, Feb. 14, 2026
- Putouts: 4, vs. Indiana State, April 7, 2026
- Assists: 6, 2x, last: vs. New Orleans, April 11, 2026
2025 - Sophomore (at Ohio)
- Named to 2024-25 Brooks Wallace Award Top 100 Watch List.
- Started all 26 games he appeared in.
- Slashed .252/.333/.459.
- Recorded five home runs, 19 runs, 28 hits, eight doubles, and 15 RBI.
- Tallied 42 putouts and a .992 fielding percentage.
- Hit home runs in three consecutive games from March 9-14.
- Went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a walk at Toledo (3/21/25).
- Season-high three hits, two stolen bases, and two runs at Toledo (3/21/25).
- Had two extra base hits and a stolen base vs. Dayton (3/18/25).
- Drove in a season-high three runs in the series finale versus Central Michigan (3/15/25).
- Went 3-for-4 with a home run against Central Michigan (3/14/25).
2024 - Freshman (at Ohio)
- MAC All-Defensive Team.
- Started 49 games, appearing in all but one contest in his first collegiate season.
- Slashed .312/.381/.377.
- Tallied 62 hits, 10 doubles, one home run, 13 RBI, 35 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases.
- Ranked first on the team in stolen bases, second in hits and doubles, and third in runs scored.
- Had 20 multi-hit games as a freshman.
- Hit 3-for-4 and scored a run at Virginia Tech (5/4/24).
- Notched his first career home run in the second inning at Ball State (3/30/24).
- Logged two doubles and went 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBI vs. Kent State (3/16/24).
- Went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, an RBI, and a walk in his college debut at Lipscomb (2/16/24).
HIGH SCHOOL
- Attended Adlai E. Stevenson High School.
- Played three years of varsity baseball.
PERSONAL
- Born on Aug. 23, 2004.
- Son of Rick, who wrestled at Minnesota State, and Cari Nelson.
- Chose Illinois because “it is close to home and always was a place I wanted to come play at growing up so close.”
- Pursuing a degree in communication.
Illini Baseball | 03.18.25 Cinematic Recap vs. Indiana State
Wednesday, March 19
ILLINI BASE | Head Coach Dan Hartleb Availability (2/12/25)
Thursday, February 13
Illini Athletics | Week of Appreciation Coaches Video Dan Hartleb
Monday, December 09
Illini Baseball | Team IMPACT Signing
Friday, September 22
