Catcher Buck Afenir Signs Free Agent Contract With New York Yankees

June 15, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Former Kansas catcher Buck Afenir has signed a professional contract with the New York Yankees’ organization. Afenir, who was not drafted last week, becomes the second Jayhawk to sign with the Yankees this year, joining teammate Shaeffer Hall.

Afenir completed his college eligibility this season – his fourth at KU – with a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Afenir, a senior catcher from Escondido, Calif., recorded a career-high 10 home runs this season to go along with a .333 batting average and 62 RBIs in 58 games behind the plate. His 31 career round-trippers are tied for the second-most in team history with Erik Morrison. Afenir led the Jayhawks with a .370 average against the Big 12 in 2009, and improved his defense immensely. During the season, Afenir nabbed 33 percent of would-be base stealers and committed just five errors.

He was a four-year starter for head coach Ritch Price, finishing his KU career with a .292 batting average, 35 doubles, 31 homers and 159 RBIs. His career RBI total is tied for seventh all-time at Kansas with former teammate John Allman, while his 179 games started rank sixth in the Ritch Price era.

“I’m thrilled for Buck to get the opportunity to chase his dream of playing professional baseball,” Price said.

“With the season he had and the improvements he’s made over the last four years, he is certainly very deserving of this opportunity. I was shocked that he wasn’t drafted last week, but think he will use that as motivation to succeed at the next level. I wish him the best.”