Colorado Rockies sign Kansas’ Collin Baumgartner
Right-hander Collin Baumgartner’s career did not end there, despite the fact that no Jayhawks were chosen in the 2023 MLB Draft.
The Brighton, Illinois, native signed a contract on Wednesday with the Colorado Rockies, his sixth and final season of eligibility, after spending just one year at Kansas.
Baumgartner said in a release, “I’ve always wanted the chance to play professional baseball.” The idea that this is real still seems so bizarre. I must thank my family, coaches, and teammates for supporting me in achieving this goal. I’m thrilled to start working for the Colorado Rockies and feel privileged to have signed with such a prestigious franchise.
After completing five years at SIU-Edwardsville, Baumgartner relocated to Kansas. In his last season of eligibility, Baumgartner had a breakout campaign, going 6-1 as the team’s ace and earning a spot on the All-Big 12 Conference Second Team. Throughout 73.2 innings, he pitched for the Jayhawks with an ERA of 3.79. In his last five starts combined, he’s gone 3-0 while pitching 28.2 innings with 25 strikeouts and a 1.88 ERA.
In the Big 12 Conference Tournament, sophomore righty Thaniel Trumper’s nine innings pitched and nine strikeouts allowed helped the eighth-seeded Longhorns overcome the top-seeded Texas Longhorns, 6-3. This concluded a run of five games.
Collin “set a new benchmark for what it looks like to be a great Jayhawk baseball player,” according to head coach Dan Fitzgerald’s statement in the announcement. He was a model citizen who led by example, performing well both on and off the field. Baum is the only player in professional baseball who is more deserving of a chance. He is a genuine candidate to reach the major leagues due to his skill and character, and he will be a wonderful asset to a top team.
Since Everhett Hazelwood joined the Chicago White Sox in 2021, Baumgartner is the only Jayhawk to sign with a major league team. Currently, Hazelwood is a pitcher for the Winston-Salem Dash, the White Sox’s High-A affiliate. In 33.2 innings worked so far this season, he has an 8.55 ERA.
Baumgartner would be the first Jayhawk to play in the Major Leagues since 2014, when the Texas Rangers selected left-hander Wes Benjamin with the 156th overall pick in the MLB draft. Baumgartner would if he could make it up through the minor league ranks of the Rockies.