Ryan Orr '18 signed his first professional baseball contract with the River City Rascals on Tuesday. Located in O'Fallon, Missouri, the Rascals are a member of the West Division of the Frontier League.
Orr's first game with the team will be Thursday, June 21 when the Rascals host the Gateway Grizzlies.
Orr graduated from Kalamazoo College this past Sunday, June 17.
"I have always said that I want to play baseball for as long as I possibly can and reach the highest level that I can," Orr said. "I want to chase every opportunity to keep playing and I'm very excited for this next chapter of my baseball career."
Orr earned All-MIAA honors all four years at Kalamazoo College. In 2017 he was the MIAA's Co-Most Outstanding Pitcher and a D3baseball.com All-American. He's been honored as All-Region three times by both D3baseball.com and the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Orr led the Hornets with an 8-1 record with one save and a 1.81 ERA in 2018. He struck out 60 while walking just five in 54.2 innings of work. His eight wins and two saves both tied school records. Orr threw his second career no-hitter in a 7-0 win over Albion leading to MIAA Pitcher of the Week, NCBWA Pitcher of the Week and D3baseball.com Team of the Week honors.
Offensively Orr led the team in batting average (.368) with 14 RBIs and 10 stolen bases while playing multiple positions in the infield and outfield.
For his career, Orr holds school records for wins (30), ERA (2.28), innings pitched (288.2), strikeouts (267), complete games (21), shutouts (5) and saves (9).
"Things are moving pretty quickly and the baseball world is always unpredictable, but I'm looking forward to this next challenge and I know that I have a lot of family, friends, and coaches supporting me throughout this process which means a lot to me," Orr added. "To be playing in the Frontier League for such a good organization is an honor and I'm looking forward to continuing to live out my baseball dream."
The Frontier League is a professional, independent baseball organization. The league, which has 12 teams, formed in 1993 and is the oldest currently running independent league. Thirty-five players have gone on to play in Major League Baseball with numerous others playing in minor leagues.