Landon Thome '26 Named Gatorade Illinois Baseball Player of the Year

For the second consecutive year, Nazareth Academy is proud to announce that a Roadrunner has secured the state’s highest high school athletic honor. Shortstop Landon Thome was named the 2025-2026 Gatorade Illinois Baseball Player of the Year.

The prestigious award recognizes not only elite athletic excellence on the field, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated within the community. By earning this title, Thome distinguished himself as Illinois' best high school baseball player.

A Record-Breaking Season

At the time of his selection, Landon had propelled the Roadrunners to a 25-9 record heading into the Class 3A State Tournament, putting together a legendary senior campaign at the plate and on the basepaths:

• Batting Average: .535
• On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS): 1.676
• Run Production: 57 runs scored, 29 RBI, 7 home runs, and 8 triples
• Base Running: 49-for-50 on stolen base attempts

His performance set Nazareth’s single-season program records for both stolen bases and triples. He was also voted the 2026 East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC) Offensive Player of the Year. Thome is currently ranked as the nation's No. 19 overall prospect in the Class of 2026 by Prep Baseball Report and the No. 56 draft prospect by Baseball America.

Excellence in the Classroom and Community

Off the field, Landon maintains a 3.71 GPA and was recently honored as one of Nazareth Academy’s Athletes of the Year at the school's annual awards ceremony in May.

The son of MLB Hall of Famer Jim Thome, Landon has dedicated his free time to local community service. He volunteers with Feed My Starving Children to package food for developing nations, serves as an academic tutor for Chicago elementary school students and donates his time to the Misericordia Home in Chicago.

"Landon is an outstanding representative of both the Nazareth Academy athletic program and our school community. What truly sets him apart is his character. Landon competes with humility, carries himself with professionalism, and leads with integrity," said Coach Lee Milano. "In more than 30 years of coaching... I can confidently say Landon is one of the finest young men I have had the privilege to coach, a true reflection of his family and the values they have instilled."

What's Next

Thome has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play baseball for Florida State University this coming fall. However, baseball analysts project him as an early-round selection in July's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Please join the entire Nazareth Academy community in congratulating Landon and his family on this monumental achievement!