KU’s Bochy signs with dad’s team

By J-W Staff Reports     Jun 22, 2010

Nick Krug
Kansas University closer Brett Bochy watches from the bullpen Friday during the Jayhawks’ home game against Texas A&M at Hoglund Ballpark. Bochy, who has learned the game from people like his father (San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy) and all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, is steadily progressing into the most reliable pitcher on the Kansas roster.

Relief pitcher Brett Bochy announced Monday that he has signed a professional contract with the San Francisco Giants organization and will forego his senior campaign at Kansas University.

Bochy — the son of Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy — was selected by his father’s organization in the 20th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft with the 618th overall pick.

“I’m thrilled for Brett,” Kansas coach Ritch Price said. “For him to have the opportunity of being able to play professional baseball for the same organization his father is with has to be a dream come true for him.”

Bochy, a junior right-handed pitcher from Poway, Calif., put up impressive numbers over the first half of the 2010 season. He went 2-0 for the Jayhawks in 12 relief appearances posting a 0.78 ERA, allowing just two earned runs in 23 innings and collecting a team-high five saves. However, he underwent Tommy John surgery on April 8 and missed the final two months of the season.

Bochy recorded two saves in KU’s series win at then-No. 1 LSU in March and collected a win and a save in the Jayhawks’ series win at Baylor. He was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week twice during the 2010 season.

“Prior to his surgery, Brett was throwing the ball as well as any pitcher in the country,” Price said. “Obviously, his loss was devastating for our team, because we were a Top 25 club when he was on the mound. We’re just happy that after his three years of hard work at Kansas, he has the opportunity to chase his dreams and play professional baseball for his favorite organization.”

In his Kansas career, Bochy went 7-0 with a 3.62 ERA in 55 career appearances. He posted 32 walks and 110 strikeouts in 77 innings.

Six of the seven Jayhawks selected in this year’s draft have now signed pro deals. Junior T.J. Walz (50th round, Oakland Athletics) remains the lone Kansas player who has the option of returning to the team for his senior season should he not sign with the A’s by the Aug. 15 deadline.

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