AJ Morris Signs MLB Contract

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former Kansas State right-handed pitcher A.J. Morris, who was drafted with the first pick of the fourth round of this year’s MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals, has signed with the organization.

Morris, who recorded the best season by any pitcher in K-State history, will be assigned to the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Nationals to begin his professional career before being promoted to the Hagerstown Suns, a Class A minor-league affiliate of the Nationals.

Named the 2009 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year by the league’s coaches, Morris finished his junior season as Kansas State’s single-season record-holder for wins (14), strikeouts (100), innings pitched (116.1) and games started (16). His 14 wins tied for the third-most in Big 12 history, while his 2.09 ERA was the seventh-lowest in school history.

For his efforts, Morris earned first-team all-American honors from Collegiate Baseball, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), PING!Baseball, Rivals.com, Baseball America and the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). He is also a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, which will be announced at the MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis, Mo., on July 14.