Ian Tompkins Officially Joins #ProToppers Ranks

UPDATE (8:34 CT): Thanks to Tompkins’ twitter-litterate father, we know now where Ian will begin his professional career.

h/t to @WKUBaseball

The Chukars are the defending Champions of the eight-team Pioneer League, and Idaho Falls have seen some big names through their ranks, such as Jose Canseco, Billy Martin and current big-leaguers Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler.

ORIGINAL POST (7:20 CT): After being selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 14th round of this past weekends MLB Draft, former WKU Hilltoppers closer Ian Tompkins signed his professional contract and seems ready to go for professional baseball!

Ian Tompkins’ signed his professional contract (h/t @WKUBaseball)

Tompkins set a Hilltoppers single-season record this past year, by recording 14 saves, and finished the 2014 season with a 2.42 ERA in 26 appearances, recorded 46 strikeouts to only 22 walks, and allowed only three extra base hits (all doubles).

Tompkins becomes the seventh former Hilltopper to currently reach the professional ranks, joining another Royals farmhand Andrew Edwards, Oakland Athletics first base prospect Ryan Huck, Tampa Bay Rays outfield extraordinaire Kes Carter, Miami Marlins infielder Terrence Dayleg, Detroit Tigers third base prospect Wade Gaynor and New York Yankees pitching farmhand Phil Wetherell.