Former Redbird Mike Saunches signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees organization and is currently in Tampa, Fla., completing a week-long camp assignment.
The only player from this years squad to sign a contract, Saunches signed the deal after three years on the Redbird baseball team where, as a sophomore, he earned All-American honors. The Decatur, Ill., native became the 86th player in Illinois State baseball history to sign a professional contract.
A 6-3, 255 pound first baseman, Saunches hit .264 this past season, including seven home runs, the third highest total on the team. He also notched 47 hits, seven doubles, 33 runs and 35 runs batted in.
The 2002 pre-season all-American was an all- Missouri Valley Conference first team selection in 2001. He garnered American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-America third-team honors the same year while also making the ABCA all-region first team.
