July 25, 2011
Nashville, Tenn. – Sonny Gray signed a professional contract with the Oakland Athletics today becoming the sixth Commodore to turn professional this year.
Gray was the 18th overall pick by Oakland in last month’s Major League Baseball Draft. The Smyrna, Tenn. native leaves Vanderbilt as one of the greatest pitchers in school history. Gray’s 27 wins ran second all-time at Vandy and his 317 strikeouts are the fourth-most in school history. He helped lead the Commodores to the school’s first-ever College World Series appearance this past season going 12-4 with a 2.43 ERA being named an All-American by multiple media outlets.
“Thanks everyone for the support this has been an awesome day for me and my family… Officially a part of the A’s as of today! Although im ready to start my professional career.. I am going to miss everyone at vandy. Would not change it for the world,” Gray tweeted.
Gray joins former teammates Aaron Westlake (Detroit), Taylor Hill (Washington), Curt Casali (Detroit), Mark Lamm (Atlanta) and Bryan Johns (Boston), who signed as a non-drafted free agent, as Commodores who have inked pro contracts this summer.
