Ballinger to Forgo Senior Season and Turn Professional
6/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 23, 2009
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss pitcher JR Ballinger announced today that he will not return to Southern Miss for his senior season and will sign professionally with the Chicago White Sox organization.
"After careful thoughts and prayers I have decided to move on with my professional career," Ballinger said. "I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I had at Southern Miss and will always bleed black and gold."
Ballinger was selected by the White Sox in the 11th round of the 2009 First Year Player Draft, the number 343 pick overall.
With the Golden Eagles this season he was 6-4 with a 4.40 ERA, working 86 innings while striking out 59 while walking 34 in his first season as a starting pitcher. In the previous two seasons wearing the black and gold Ballinger worked 54.2 innings exclusively out of the bullpen.
Ballinger will report to the Bristol, Virginia immediately to begin his professional career with the Bristol Sox in the Appalachian League.
Ballinger was one of four members of the World Series team selected in this year's MLB draft. The other three, Brian Dozier, Bo Davis and James Ewing, were all seniors and will sign professional.
