LITTLE ROCK — BASEBALL Bates signs with Royals
Former Arkansas outfielder Sam Bates signed Tuesday with the Kansas City Royals after being selected in the 28th round of the major league draft earlier this month.
Bates is the second former Razorback to sign a professional contract in the past two days, following third baseman Matt Reynolds, who signed Monday with the New York Mets.
Bates, of Cabot, started 37 games as a senior and hit .240 with 6 home runs and 25 RBI. In two seasons with the Razorbacks, Bates played in 70 games, including 56 starts, and had a .239 batting average with 6 home runs and 32 RBI.
Bates played two years at Crowder College in Neosho, Mo., before transferring to Arkansas.
- Rick Fires Reynolds honored again
Former Arkansas third baseman Matt Reynolds was named a third-team All-American by Perfect Game and second-team All-South Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association, the school announced Tuesday.
Reynolds, who just completed his junior season, already had been named a third-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball.
Reynolds hit .323 with 7 home runs and 45 RBI and led the Razorbacks in runs scored (48), doubles (20), total bases (117), slugging percentage (.498), walks (40) and on-base percentage (.427).
He was taken in the second round of the major league draft by the New York Mets earlier this month.
Sports, Pages 21 on 06/27/2012