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Michael Tinsley skips senior year for shot at the majors
Missy Minear/KANSAN Junior catcher Michael Tinsley swings at a pitch against Nebraska. Kansas lost 3-1 at Kauffman Stadium on April 27.
► EMMA GREEN
@emmalee_green
The NCAA baseball season is a short one -lasting only about three months but for most players,the
end of the NCAA season doesn't mean baseball is over.
Many college baseball players, including the majority of the Kansas baseball team, participate in summer leagues all across the country every year.
"It's part of the development process of college baseball," Kansas coach Ritch Price said. "It allows the young guys to make up
However, one Kansas baseball player chose to forego his last year of eligibility to pursue a career in the major leagues.
playing time."
Catcher Michael Tinsley, who led the Jayhawks in almost every offensive statistic during the 2016 season, entered the 2016 MLB draft along with his graduating teammates Sam Gilbert, Colby Wright, and Ben Krauth.
"Losing Tinsley is devastating to our team," Price said. "He was our best offensive player and had an outstanding KU career."
Tinsley was the first to be drafted of the four Jayhawks this year, going to the Cleveland Indians in the seventh round with the 212th pick.
"I had been sitting in the conference room with my parents and agent, and we were just waiting," Tinsley
said. "The moment I got picked, it was just relief. It was probably one of the most stressful days of my life."
After being selected, the Indians sent Tinsley to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, a Class A short season affiliate in Niles, Ohio. Short season affiliates allow recently drafted players to start their season after the draft, instead of joining a team midseason.
Tinsley batted .214 with two RBIs in eight games with the Scrappers, before tearing his labrum during an at-bat against the State College Spikes on July 15. He will undergo season-ending surgery and reh through the offseason.
"I hope to start where I left off and keep on improving." Tinsley said.
Because of the injury, Tinsley spends more time in the bullpen than the dugout, allowing him to reconnect with his former Kansas teammate Ben Krauth, who was also drafted by the Indians, in the 16th round.
"Having one of my best friends here with me is great. It's very comforting," Tinsley said. "We get to hang out a lot in the bullpen since he was moved to a relief role."
Friendships are one of the many things that come with playing college baseball, and leaving Kansas early wasn't an easy decision for Michael Tinsley.
"It's always hard leaving a place that you've grown accustomed to. KU had been amazing to me. My plan is to come back and finish my degree at KU," Tinsley said. "It was a first-class experience and I couldn't have gone anywhere else. KU really got me ready for this."
Where Kansas baseball players spent their summers
Map of United States of America with States - Outline by FreeVectorMaps.com
Jam Gilbert (Graduated, 18th rd) Arizona League Athletics (Athletics Rookie Affiliate) Phoenix, Ariz.
33 Marcus Wheeler (SR) Arizona Pro Grey Phoenix, Ariz.
24 Colby Wright (Graduated, 25th rd) Billings Mustangs (Reds Rookie Affiliate) Billings, Mont.
35 John Remick (SR) Chillicothe Mudcats Chillicothe, Mo.
44 Blake Weiman (JR) Chillicothe Mudcats Chillicothe, Mo.
59 Zack Leban (SO) Chillicothe Mudcats Chillicothe, Mo.
31 Chris Fearon (SO) Danville Dans Danville, Ill.
28 Blake Shinkle (SO) Dodge City A's Dodge City, Kan.
3 David Kyriacou (SO) Duluth Huskies Duluth, Minn.
7 Ty Denzer (SO) Elmira Pioneers Elmira, N.Y.
40 Stephen Villines (SR) Falmouth Commodores Falmouth, Mass.
5 Matt McLaughlin (JR) Falmouth Commodores Falmouth, Mass.
14 Joe Moroney (Graduated) Gary Southshore Railcats Gary, Ind.
12 Ryan Ralston (JR) Humboldt Crabs Arcata, Calif.
36 Blake Goldsberry (SO) Liberal Bee Jays Liberal, Kan.
4 Owen Taylor (JR) Liberal Bee Jays Liberal, Kan.
22 Ben Krauth (Graduated, 16th rd) Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Indians Class A Short Season) Niles, Ohio
34 Michael Tinsley (Drafted, 7th rd) Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Indians Class A Short Season) Niles, Ohio
19 Casey Douglas (JR) Neptune Beach Pearl Alameda, Calif.
20 Jackson Goddard (SO) Newport Gulls Newport, R.I.
11 Tanner Gragg (JR) Rossville Rattlers Rossville, Kan.
32 Ryan Jackson (JR) Rossville Rattlers Rossville, Kan.
46 Jeremy Kravetz (SR) Rossville Rattlers Rossville, Kan.
50 Ty Stahl (SR) Rossville Rattlers Rossville, Kan.
25 Peyton Grassnovits (SO) Topeka Golden Giants Topeka, Kan.
30 MJ Farthing (SR) Topeka Golden Giants Topeka, Kan.
26 Tyler Davis (JR) Waynesboro Generals Waynesboro, Va.
27 Devin Foyle (SO) Willmar Stingers Willmar, Minn.