Baseball fans across Southern Illinois have a special reason to tune in to the Major League Baseball Draft on July 13th & 14th. That’s when Zach Root, a standout pitcher for the Arkansas Razorbacks, is expected to be selected, possibly as the top pick by the New York Yankees.
Root, just 21 years old, made headlines during the 2025 Men’s College Baseball World Series in Omaha, where he pitched in two key games for Arkansas. On June 14th, he started against LSU, giving up just two runs in a 4-1 loss. Then on June 17th, he delivered a dominant performance against UCLA, going five innings, allowing just three hits, no runs, and striking out five to lead the Razorbacks to a 7-3 victory. Arkansas was ultimately eliminated by LSU on June 18th with LSU winning the College World Series yesterday (Sunday).
Though now known nationally, Zach Root’s story is also deeply local. He has strong family ties to Bone Gap and Albion, Illinois. His great-grandfather, Elmo Root, farmed east of Bone Gap for many years and served on the Edwards County School Board. Elmo and his wife Ruby, both buried at Graceland Cemetery in Albion, left a legacy of 26 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren — Zach among them.
Zach’s grandmother, Lois Hawkins Eckleberry of Fairfield, grew up in Albion and graduated from Edwards County High School. Though Zach was raised in Florida, where his father Vance Root eventually settled, the family’s agricultural and educational roots remain planted in Edwards County. Vance spent many hours working the family farms in the area.
Zach emerged as a pitching phenom at Fort Myers High School, where he lettered four years and compiled a 13-3 record, 2.16 ERA, and 176 strikeouts in 123.1 innings. He began his collegiate career at East Carolina University, starting 13 games as a freshman and going 6-2 his sophomore season with a 3.56 ERA before transferring to Arkansas.
His 2025 season with the Razorbacks was impressive:
9 wins, 6 losses
3.62 ERA
99.1 innings pitched
126 strikeouts and only 35 walks
Allowed just 7 home runs
As a left-handed pitcher, Root is a highly valued asset in professional baseball, making him one of the most sought-after players heading into this year’s draft.
While the Yankees are rumored to be eyeing him with their top pick, only time will tell where Zach ends up. But one thing is certain, when his name is called, many relatives across Edwards and Wayne counties will be watching with pride.
The MLB Draft takes place July 13 and 14 in Atlanta, and all eyes from Southern Illinois to Arkansas — and Florida — will be on Zach Root.
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