Oregon Ducks Lose Top Hitter, Tolman Signs With Pittsburgh

The Oregon Ducks will play the 2016 season without their best hitter from 2015. Infielder Mitchell Tolman signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates after being selected in the seventh round of the MLB Draft earlier this month. According to the Pirates Twitter site, Tolman will report to West Virginia and be with the Class A Black Bears to begin his pro career.

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Tolman is the second drafted player from Oregon to leave school following Josh Graham who signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves earlier this week. Graham who played both pitcher and catcher for Oregon is expected to be strictly a pitcher with the Braves. Tolman has been on of the Ducks most versatile and healthy players during his career.

In his Freshman and Sophomore seasons in Eugene he hit better than .300 and his Junior year saw several records fall to him including the career record for Doubles and Runs Batted In in an Oregon Ducks Uniform. Tolman hit at a .325 clip in his Junior year with 43 runs, 42 RBI’s and 20 doubles in 2015.

Several other Oregon athletes including Pitcher Cole Irvin have until July 17th to decide their future and return to school or move on to become pro. He was selected by Pittsburgh in the thirty-second round and if he returns to the Ducks will have two years of eligibility remaining.