Nick Groves joins Frontier League’s Québec Capitales

*** This story originally appeared on DailyIllini.com on July 31, 2026. You can read the original here ***

Former Illinois outfielder Nick Groves is heading back to his home country. The Canadian joined the Frontier League’s Québec Capitales on Monday, the team announced on Instagram. 

Groves spent two seasons with the Illini and was among the best on-base threats to ever call Champaign home. His .466 OBP ranks second-best in program history behind 14-year MLB catcher Darrin Fletcher. He also recorded a 42-game on-base streak in 2026, the longest by an Illini since 2004. 

The outfielder generated MLB draft buzz following his 2025 season, in which he posted a .493 OBP across 203 plate appearances but went unselected in the 2026 draft after taking a small step back at the plate. 

Groves now joins one of independent baseball’s most successful franchises. The Capitales have won the Frontier League championship in each of the past four seasons, and at 46-22, are a serious threat to five-peat this year. 

Québec isn’t in desperate need of outfield help, but if Groves’ on-base acumen can translate to the Frontier League, the team would certainly welcome him.

The Capitales typically rotate 2026 All-Star Chavez Young, Maryland graduate Eddie Hacopian, Jordan Smith and Ruben Castro in their outfield, and Groves now figures to join the mix. 

Groves could also make some appearances in the infield, where he occasionally played with Niagara in the seasons before he transferred to Illinois. 

Though Groves will be the only former Illini on the Capitales, he has a chance to face off against a former teammate — right-handed pitcher Ryan Daly — when the Joliet Slammers make the trip to Québec at the end of August. 

Other undrafted Illinois seniors, like right-handed pitcher Ben Plumley and catcher Daniel Contreras, could join Groves in signing with professional teams in the coming weeks.