July 9, 2015
Nashville, Tenn. – Three more Vanderbilt Commodores have signed professional deals with their respective teams with Tyler Ferguson, Philip Pfeifer and Rhett Wiseman all becoming professional players.
Ferguson signed with the Texas Rangers as a sixth round pick. The big right-hander pitched in 15 games during the Commodores’ second straight run to the College World Series championship series this past season. The Fresno, Calif. native was one of five Vanderbilt pitchers taken in last month’s MLB Draft joining Carson Fulmer (Chicago White Sox), Walker Buehler (Los Angeles Dodgers), Pfeifer (Los Angeles Dodgers) and John Kilichowski (Chicago Cubs). Ferguson finished his Vanderbilt career 11-6 in 40 games with 110 strikeouts. As part of the Rangers’ organization, Ferguson joins former Dores Antoan Richardson and Gil Kim (Director of International Scouting) in the Texas system.
Pfeifer signed with the Dodgers as a third round pick after returning to the Vandy roster this past season and going 6-5 with a 3.55 ERA in 27 games, nine starts. The lefty from Knoxville, Tenn. saved two of his best outings in a Vanderbilt uniform for Omaha, not allowing an unearned run over 12.2 innings in two starts beating TCU in the second round of the CWS with seven scoreless innings. Pfeifer pitched in 53 games for the Commodores over three seasons winning 10 games.
Wiseman becomes the first Commodore position player to sign this summer after being a third round selection of the Washington Nationals. Wiseman tied for the team lead with 15 home runs during his junior season that saw him hit .317 with 49 RBI and 70 runs scored in 71 games. The Mansfield, Mass. native played in 193 games over his three-year career at VU helping the Dores to 156 victories. Wiseman joins former Commodore Taylor Hill in the Nationals’ organization.
The deadline for major league teams to sign draft picks is July 17.