BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University redshirt junior pitcher Rye Davis became the seventh Hilltopper to sign a minor-league contract this year after coming to an agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Davis signed a free-agent contract last week and has already joined the team's rookie league affiliate, the Gulf Coast League Phillies, in Clearwater, Fla.
"It is just exciting to be able to play professional baseball," Davis said. "It is a blessing every day just to be able to do this for a living. I am hoping to move up as fast as I can and I want to thank all the people who helped me get here."
The Pig, Ky., native spent much of the last three seasons as an important part of the Hilltoppers bullpen. In 2011, Davis made 18 relief appearances and three starts for the Hilltoppers while logging 39-2/3 innings. After redshirting the 2009 season due to injury, Davis emerged as one of the conference's best closers in 2010 with a team-high nine saves, ranking second in the conference and struck out 63 batters. He was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference First Team following the 2010 season.
He finished his four-year career with a record of 7-13 with a 4.66 ERA having appeared in 82 games while making 10 starts. Davis struck out 160 batters and recorded 16 saves, ranking his second all time in program history in career saves.
"College really helped out," Davis said. "I got my reps in college so I was able to learn the game a lot faster than a lot of guys down here. So I feel like I'm a little more advanced knowing the game. College ball was a lot of fun and I'm glad that I get four years in at WKU."
Davis joins teammates Kes Carter, a supplemental first-round selection of the Tampa Bay Rays, Matt Rice, a ninth-round pick of the Rays, Phil Wetherell, an eight-round pick of the New York Yankees, Logan Robbins, a 10th-round pick of the Atlanta Braves and Chris Bullard, a 34th-round pick of the Braves, as Hilltoppers who have signed minor league contracts. Senior right-hander Brian Edelen also signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Royals.
