June 18, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M senior pitchers Clayton Ehlert (Orange) and Shane Minks (West Columbia) inked professional free agent contracts with American League teams this week.
Ehlert signed with the Cleveland Indians and has reported to the club's rookie league affiliate, the Arizona League Indians, based in Goodyear. The right-hander went 4-6 in 2010 with a 4.87 ERA, starting 14 games and appearing five times out of the bullpen. Ehlert threw a team-best two complete games, including a 7-1 defeat of Rice at Olsen Field, and got a win over No. 1 Texas with a strong outing at the Big 12 Championship. He struck out 66 batters in 81 1/3 innings of work.
Minks signed with the Tampa Bay Rays and will report this weekend to the team's rookie league affiliate, the Gulf Coast League Rays, in Port Charlotte, Florida. The right-hander finished the season 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA, and his 25 relief outings were the second most on the squad. Minks fanned 34 hitters in 38 1/3 innings, holding opponents to a .255 average.