Kansas baseball: Collin Baumgartner signs with the Colorado Rockies

Collin Baumgartner became the first former Kansas baseball player to ink an MLB contract Everhett Hazelwood in 2021.

Although he didn’t get a phone call during the 2023 MLB Draft, former Kansas Jayhawks starting pitcher Collin Baumgartner officially signed a contract with the Colorado Rockies.

Baumgartner was undoubtedly the ace of KU’s staff this past season. In 79 2/3 innings pitched, he was 6-1 with a 3.62 ERA. He also struck out 74 opposing hitters.

The Illinois native started 15 games on the rubber during his graduate season and was awarded with being on the All-Big 12 Starting Pitching Second Team. He led the Jayhawks in wins, quality starts, strikeouts, ERA, innings pitched, and strikeout/walk ratio.

He spent five years at SIU-Edwardsville before transferring to Kansas as a super senior. Despite missing a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, he bounced back in a big way to secure a Major League deal.

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“The opportunity to play professional baseball is something I dreamed about as a kid. To think it is a reality is still so surreal,” Baumgartner stated in a press release. “I am incredibly thankful for my family, coaches, and teammates that have helped get me to this point. I’m honored to be signed by a high-caliber organization like the Colorado Rockies and am extremely excited to get to work.”

Kansas baseball has not produced an MLB player since Wes Benjamin, who debuted in 2020 and currently pitches in the KBO. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2011, but decided to attend college and was drafted once again in 2014 by the Texas Rangers.

The Colorado Rockies are a rebuilding team, and with a dire need for pitching, it feels like the right fit for Baumgartner. Hopefully, he’ll make the most of his opportunity at the next level.

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