Former Kansas Pitcher Hall Signs with New York Yankees

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Two days after being selected in the 25th round (765 overall), former Kansas pitcher Shaeffer Hall has signed a professional contract with the New York Yankees organization.

Hall will forego his senior campaign at KU to join the Yankees' organization. Next week, he will fly out to Staten Island, N.Y., and after he clears a physical he will begin his pro career with the Staten Island Yankees (New York's Single-A affiliate).

Wednesday marked the third time in his career that Hall was drafted. He was previously drafted by the Texas Rangers' organization in

"I am excited to get the opportunity of playing professional baseball," Hall said. "The Yankees have a great organization and I'm excited that I get to start out my professional career in a franchise with such a storied past. I feel lucky to be a Yankee."

Hall, a left-handed pitcher from Lee's Summit, Mo., tossed the fifth no-hitter in Jayhawk baseball history on Feb. 20 of this year against Air Force. He was KU's Friday night starter last season, going 5-6 with a 4.18 ERA. He was the first Jayhawk to tally multiple complete game shutouts in a season since Pete Smart in 2000. Hall's three complete games were a team high, while his walks-per-nine innings rate (0.97) led the Big 12. Hall was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention pick as well as an academic all-conference selection.

The junior transferred to KU prior to the 2008 season, going 9-8 in his Jayhawk career with a 4.55 ERA in 25 starts. Hall came to Kansas by way of Jefferson College (Mo.).

"I'm thrilled for the opportunity that Shaeffer Hall is getting of chasing his dream of playing professional baseball," KU head coach Ritch Price.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to coach him the last two seasons. He is an outstanding young man that has a very bright future in this game, and I wish him the best."