CHICAGO – As minor league baseball hits the halfway point next month, we review the seasons of six former members of UIC Baseball in the professional ranks in the month of June.
Luke Pelzer (2025), Quad Cities River Bandits (High-A), Kansas City Royals
June Stats: .390 AVG, 30 hits, 38 total bases, six doubles, one triple, 15 RBI, 12 BB's, .472 on-base and a .494 slugging percentage.
Pelzer delievered arguably his strongest month of the season, solidifying himself as the River Bandits' everyday cleanup hitter aside from the occasional off day. He recorded a hit in all but two games throughout June, highlighted by a four-hit, five-RBI performance in a 13-8 win over the South Bend Cubs on June 5. His speed remains a major asset as well, having stole 22 bases in 25 attempts this season, with six steals coming in June. He is batting an astounding .525 (21-for-40) with runners in scoring position (RISP).
Charlie Szykowny (2023), Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A), San Francisco Giants
June Stats: .245 Avg, 22 hits, 48 total bases, five doubles, one triple, six home runs, 17 RBI, .511 slugging percentage
Szykowny played a key role in the Flying Squirrels' first-half Southwest Division title in the Eastern League, hitting twice as many home runs in June as he did in April and May combined. The infielder opened the month with four straight multi-hit games against the Erie Sea Wolves and maintained consistency in the batter's box, driving in runs. He leads Richmond with 69 hits and is tied for the team lead with 17 doubles and 11 home runs, including one two days ago on his birthday.
Zane Zielenski (2024), Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A), San Francisco Giants
June Stats: .256 Avg, 11 hits, 17 total bases, three doubles, one home run, three RBI, .395 slugging percentage
In his first full month with the Flying Squirrels, Zielenski continues to find his stride, playing a part in Richmond's first-half Southwest Division title in the Eastern League. The middle infielder had three multi-hit games across the month of June, including a two-hit, two-RBI showing against the Harrisonburg Senators on June 13.
Cole Conn (2023), Midland RockHounds (Double-A), Athletics
June Stats: .253 avg, 19 hits, 31 total bases, four doubles, two home runs, 12 RBI, seven stolen bases, a .337 on-base and a .413 slugging percentage.
Wrapping up his 12-game hitting streak to begin the month of June, Conn has remained a steady force in Midland's lineup. He sits fourth on the team in total hits and launched his fifth home run of the season during the RockHounds' 6–0 win over the Wichita Wind Surge on June 25. Four of his 12 doubles have come in the past month, a surge that now has him leading Midland in that category.
Nate Peterson (2022), Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A), Cincinnati Reds
June Stats: 2-0 record, five appearances, one start, 15.1 innings pitched, eight strikeouts and 1.17 WHIP
After a second brief stint with the Louisville Bats in Triple A, Peterson finished the month of June back in Chattanooga, logging innings primarily out of the bullpen. After a four-inning appearance where he struck out four against the Rocket City Trash Pandas, earning the win on June 12 – Peterson was handed the ball to start on June 21 against the Knoxville Smokies. He threw an additional four innings of work, striking out four batters while allowing one run enroute to the Lookouts winning, 11-4.
Cameron Nohos (2025), ACL Padres (Rookie), San Diego Padres
June Stats: 1-2 record, five appearances, four games started, 15.0 innings pitched and 26 strikeouts.
Nohos continues his development in the Arizona Complex League with the Padres, working primarily as a starter. He opened June with a strong four-inning outing against the ACL Mariners, striking out eight. Nohos earned his second win of the season on June 16, throwing three innings of relief with four strikeouts in a 13–3 victory over the ACL Dodgers. With 50 strikeouts on the year, he ranks third in the ACL.
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