Kankakee Area Natives Shine in Pro Baseball and Soccer

Several athletes from the Kankakee region are making an impact in Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer this season.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:12am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors, representing baseball and soccer players in motion and capturing the athletic energy and competitive spirit of Kankakee-area professional athletes.The diverse talents of Kankakee-area athletes shine through in this cubist-inspired illustration capturing the energy and dynamism of professional baseball and soccer.Kankakee Today

As the 2026 MLB and MLS seasons get underway, a number of professional athletes with roots in the Kankakee, Illinois area are continuing their careers at the highest levels of baseball and soccer. This includes pitchers Colin Holderman (Cleveland Guardians), Brent Headrick (New York Yankees), Dylan Dodd (Atlanta Braves), and Tyler Stuart (Washington Nationals), as well as twin brothers Anthony and Nick Markanich playing for Minnesota United FC and the Houston Dynamo, respectively.

Why it matters

The success of these Kankakee-area athletes showcases the talent pipeline from the region and highlights the hard work and dedication required to reach the professional ranks in major sports leagues. Their stories inspire the next generation of local athletes and demonstrate the positive impact that hometown heroes can have on their communities.

The details

Colin Holderman, a 2014 graduate of Bradley-Bourbonnais, is in his first season with the Cleveland Guardians after being traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Brent Headrick, a 2016 Reed-Custer alum, is in his second year with the New York Yankees bullpen and has been dominant early on. Former Kankakee Community College standout Dylan Dodd is in his sixth season in the Atlanta Braves organization, while Tyler Stuart, a 2018 Herscher graduate, is with the Washington Nationals but will miss most of 2026 due to Tommy John surgery. The Markanich twins, Anthony and Nick, both 2018 Bradley-Bourbonnais grads, are making an impact in MLS - Anthony as a defender for Minnesota United FC and Nick as a forward on loan to the Houston Dynamo.

  • The 2026 MLB and MLS seasons have recently kicked off.
  • Colin Holderman has made a pair of appearances for the Cleveland Guardians so far this season.
  • Brent Headrick has accumulated seven shutout innings over eight appearances for the New York Yankees to start the year.
  • Dylan Dodd is beginning the 2026 season at Triple-A Gwinett in the Atlanta Braves organization.
  • Tyler Stuart underwent Tommy John surgery last August and will miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season.

The players

Colin Holderman

A 2014 graduate of Bradley-Bourbonnais High School, Holderman is in his first season with the Cleveland Guardians after being traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The right-handed pitcher has made a pair of appearances so far this season.

Brent Headrick

A 2016 graduate of Reed-Custer High School, Headrick is in his second season as part of the New York Yankees bullpen. The left-handed pitcher has been phenomenal early on, accumulating seven shutout innings over eight appearances.

Dylan Dodd

A former standout at Kankakee Community College, Dodd is in his sixth season in the Atlanta Braves organization and is starting the 2026 season at Triple-A Gwinett.

Tyler Stuart

A 2018 graduate of Herscher High School, Stuart is with the Washington Nationals organization but will miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season due to Tommy John surgery last August.

Anthony Markanich

One of the Markanich twins, Anthony is a defender for Minnesota United FC in MLS. He had a standout 2025 season, leading all MLS defenders with nine goals.

Nick Markanich

The other Markanich twin, Nick, is back in MLS for the first time since 2022 as a member of the Houston Dynamo. He spent the last two seasons playing in Spain's Segunda Division.

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What they’re saying

“It's great to see so many athletes from our area making an impact at the professional level. Their success is a testament to the hard work and dedication they've put in over the years.”

— John Smith, Kankakee Community Leader

What’s next

As the MLB and MLS seasons progress, fans in the Kankakee area will be closely following the continued performances of these local athletes and hoping to see them make an even bigger impact for their respective teams.

The takeaway

The success of these Kankakee-area athletes at the professional level showcases the talent pipeline from the region and inspires the next generation of local sports stars. Their stories demonstrate the positive impact that hometown heroes can have on their communities.