Former Jayhawk Murray Signs with Philadelphia Phillies' Organization

June 20, 2011

PHILADELPHIA –

The Philadelphia Phillies announced Monday that they have come to terms with former Kansas pitcher Colton Murray on a minor league contract after selecting the junior right-hander in the 13th round of this season’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Murray has been assigned to the Phillies’ Short-Season Class A affiliate – the Williamsport (Pa.) Crosscutters.

Williamsport opened its season in the New York-Penn League this past weekend and will play a three-game series against Jamestown beginning this evening.

“Our entire coaching staff is thrilled that Colton gets the opportunity to chase his dream of playing professional baseball,” Kansas head coach Ritch Price said. “We’ve had success in the past with other former players in the Phillies’ organization. Colton is a young man who has the talent to play this game for a long time.”

Murray is the third former Jayhawk to play in the Phillies’ organization since 2004, joining pitcher Mike Zagurski (2004) and outfielder Gus Milner (2006).

A junior right-handed pitcher from Overland Park, Kan., Murray went 3-4 for the Jayhawks in 2011 with seven saves and a 3.79 ERA in 20 appearances. The junior allowed just 15 walks to go with 33 strikeouts. In his first outing of the season, Murray tossed seven innings of relief against No. 1 TCU to earn the win as well as a “Primetime Performer” honor by CollegeBaseball360.com.

In his three-year career at Kansas, Murray appeared in 80 games and posted a 6-9 record with 11 saves and a 3.89 ERA. He recorded 108 strikeouts in 111 innings on the hill.

Murray is the second former Jayhawk to sign with a professional organization this summer, joining right-handed pitcher T.J. Walz, who signed with the Oakland Athletics last week.