If all goes according to plan, one of Ball State's baseball players could be wearing pinstripes in a few years.
Fifth-year senior Erik Morrison will sign a free-agent contract today with the New York Yankees. Morrison is flying to Tampa, Fla., to sign the contract, which includes a $15,000 signing bonus. Tampa is where the Yankees' spring training complex is located, and Morrison will stay there to work out for about 10 days.
After that, he'll join the Yankees' Staten Island, N.Y., team, which is a member of the New York-Penn League, an advanced rookie league. Morrison was assured by Yankees scout Mike Gibbons, a former Ball State assistant coach when Pat Quinn was at the helm, that he'll be the closer for Staten Island.
"It's a dream come true," he said. "I never would have thought that I would be signing with the Yankees, a year ago."
The right-handed closer finished his senior season as Ball State's all-time leader in saves for a single season, with 15, tying the Mid-American Conference record. The mark also tied for first in the NCAA this season. He finished 7-0 with a 1.32 ERA in 28 appearances, and in 41 innings, he allowed eight runs on 31 hits, while striking out 41. He was also named MAC Pitcher of the Year.
"We're excited for Erik," coach Greg Beals said. "It was an opportunity we knew was coming. He had a great season and worked very hard."
Before the season, Morrison said he thought he had a chance to be signed by a Major League Baseball team, but he knew it would take the type of season he had.
"It was on the back of my mind [before this season]," Morrison said. "First and foremost, I wanted the team to have a good year. [Gibbons] liked what he saw. "
After playing for two years at Marian College, Morrison redshirted at Ball State in 2003, then made 13 relief appearances last season, finishing with a 1.93 ERA.
He signed with the Yankees before the amateur draft, which will be conducted next week. Once the collegiate baseball season is over, players are allowed to enter negotiations with MLB teams. Along with the Yankees, Morrison drew interest from San Francisco, Arizona, Cleveland and Toronto. Beals said that while the Indians and Blue Jays were not in a position to sign Morrison with a free-agent contract, the Giants and Diamondbacks were in the bidding war for him -- but the Yankees ultimately won.
Morrison is very deserving of the opportunity, Beals said, because he's a hard worker with very good control, and he'll bring a competitive demeanor to the team.
"His chances [of making it to the major leagues] are the same as anybody," Beals said. "He's gonna be able to get guys out. We'll see how far it takes him."
"I'd like to advance a division every year, make it to 'A' next year," Morrison said. "I've got to play it by ear. You have to work your way up. "
Morrison might be joined in the minor leagues by several other Ball State players.
Starting pitcher Joe Ness and first baseman Brad Miller are expected to hear their names called during the draft next week, and centerfielder Mike Sullivan and catcher Matt Singleton might be drafted in the later rounds. Beals said Ness is getting the most interest and is expected to be drafted somewhere between rounds eight and 15.
"Everyone's got a feel for them," Beals said. "The draft is hard to predict. All the clubs have interest, especially in Ness."
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