Morrison Drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates

June 8, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

University of Kansas shortstop Erik Morrison has been drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Morrison was taken with the fourth pick of the 49th round (1,415 overall) in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. After a slow start, Morrison surged in the second half of the season and finished with a .296 batting average, a team-high 17 doubles, seven homers and tied for the team lead with 44 RBIs. The junior infielder also stole six bases. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Morrison, who was one of six Jayhawks named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, has raised his batting average in each of his three collegiate seasons. Morrison holds a .270 career average at KU with 120 runs scored, 132 RBIs, 179 hits. The junior is tied for sixth all-time at KU with 24 career home runs.

The Arroyo Grande, Calif., native holds the school record for most games played by a freshman (63) and most home runs by a sophomore (14). In 2006, he was named to the Big 12 Championship’s All-Tournament Team. He is also a two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection.

Morrison is the fourth Jayhawk to be selected in the 2007 draft, joining Zach Ashwood (16th round), Kyle Murphy (19th round) and Brock Simpson (46th round).