FAYETTEVILLE — DJ Baxendale has signed with the Minnesota Twins, ending his career as a pitcher at Arkansas.
Baxendale signed with the organization on Wednesday after being drafted in the 10th round of the MLB Draft. He is the third players from the Razorbacks to sign a professional contract this week, joining third baseman Matt Reynolds (New York Mets) and outfielder Sam Bates (Kansas City Royals).
As a junior, Baxendale set a school record with 20 starts, including two in the College World Series earlier this month. Baxendale finished the season with an 8-5 record and 3.11 earned run average.
The Jacksonville native led the Razorbacks in 2012 with 107 innings pitched and 97 strikeouts. He finished his career with 18 wins.
Baxendale was one of nine Arkansas players drafted earlier this month and was one of three taken in the first 10 rounds alongside Reynolds and pitcher Nolan Sanburn (Oakland Athletics). Sanburn has yet to sign but is expected to do so.
Five of Arkansas' signees were also drafted in the first nine rounds. Pitcher Ty Buttrey (Boston Red Sox) and outfielder Shilo McCall (San Francisco Giants) have signed pro deals, forgoing their college eligibility.