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BROOMFIELD, Colo. – Oredigger pitcher Walter Pennington signed a free agent contract with Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals last week as the Colorado School of Mines Baseball team sends a player to the professional ranks for a second straight year.
 
Pennington is the second Oredigger in as many years to put pen to paper with a MLB team after former teammate Trevor Kehe was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The Royals acquired the left-handed pitcher following a COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, which would have been Pennington's senior campaign, and a brief appearance in the National Baseball Congress World Series. The contract officially hit the MLB wire on Tuesday, Aug. 24.
 
"It is a blessing to be signed by the Kansas City Royals, especially in these uncertain times," stated Pennington. "I am very grateful to my family, friends, teammates and coaches who have helped me get to this point. It saddens me to say that I've played my last game in an Oredigger uniform, but I cherished every single moment with these guys. Moving forward, I am extremely excited to play in the Royals organization and to see what lies ahead."
 
The Broomfield, Colo., native earned his professional contract on the laurels of a record-setting career with the Mines baseball team. Over the course of four years in Golden, Pennington went 24-10 in 30 starts and 51 appearances including six complete games, three saves and one shutout. He racked up 216 strikeouts over 224.2 innings pitched and graduated with a 4.73 earned-run average. The 6-2 lefty broke the program's single-season records for wins and innings pitched in 2019 with 10 and 92.1, respectively. Pennington's career wins total ranks tied for #3 in the RMAC record book. He also ranks top-10 in the Oredigger record book in single-season shutouts, career innings pitched, career strikeouts, single-season strikeouts, career wins and single-season ERA.
 
"Our staff along with all of Walter's teammates, past and present, are thrilled for him," said Mines Head Baseball Coach Robby Bales. "Personally, I have known Walter since he was 17, and watching him grow into a leader and captain in our program has been my absolute pleasure. He is an outstanding competitor with the highest morals, ethics, values and faith. I am confident Walter will see success throughout his professional career thanks to an unmatched work ethic. Congratulations to Walter and his family I truly look forward to following the next chapter."
 
While Pennington's senior season was shortened due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the veteran hurler still racked up three wins with 24 strikeouts over 26.2 innings pitched. However, his best season came in 2019 as a junior when he went 10-3 with a 3.51 ERA and 93 strikeouts over 92.1 innings including four complete games. In total, Pennington boasts two all-region awards, three All-RMAC nods and numerous weekly awards. His classroom acumen also led to two CoSIDA Academic All-America selections along with RMAC Academic Player of the Year in 2020 and three CoSIDA Academic All-District selections. The icing on Pennington's resume is an offensive resume that features 34 runs on 32 hits including 11 home runs, nine doubles and three triples with 36 RBI while hitting .288 and slugging .721.
 
Last week's signing also marks three Orediggers in the professional ranks since 2019 after Mikey Gangwish signed contracts in both Australia and with the Evansville Otters. Additionally, the 2020 graduate is the second Oredigger in program history affiliated with the Kansas City organization. Right-handed pitcher Paul walker was drafted by the Royals in the 17th round in 1968.
 
"Walter's signing with the Royals is a reflection of the current status of our baseball program," said Coach Bales. "Our staff is determined to continue the trend of Orediggers playing professionally for years to come."
 
Kansas City immediately assigned Pennington to its rookie team in the Arizona League where he will report next spring. The Oredigger hurler departs Mines with a degree in mechanical engineering which he completed in May and one year of eligibility remaining after the NCAA granted a blanket waiver to all spring sport athletes effected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Fans can follow baseball on Twitter at @OrediggersBSB. Also, keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.