Sanburn inks deal with Oakland

FAYETTEVILLE – Former Arkansas pitcher Nolan Sanburn has inked a professional contract with the Oakland Athletics, as announced on Friday afternoon.

Sanburn was selected in the second round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics with the 74th overall pick. Sanburn is the sixth Arkansas player to sign a pro contract, joining Sam Bates, DJ Baxendale, Derrick Bleeker, Tim Carver and Matt Reynolds.

A right-handed pitcher from Kokomo, Ind., Sanburn pitched in 22 games, 18 out of the bullpen, and had a 4-1 record with a 2.43 ERA. Sanburn threw 40.2 innings, striking out 49 batters and allowing just 29 hits. Opposing batters hit just .197 against the hard throwing right hander. Sanburn did not allow an earned run over his final five appearances of the season, a span of 10 innings. In the NCAA Tournament, Sanburn tossed five shutout innings.

In his two seasons as a Razorback, Sanburn pitched in 46 games and had a 6-5 record with eight saves and a 2.96 ERA. He pitched 73 innings and struck out 84 batters, while holding the opposition to a .216 batting average.