MOREHEAD, Ky. — Former Morehead State baseball players Chris Robinson and Robby Spencer have signed professional contracts with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the independent American Association.
Robinson, who was named to three All-America teams following the 2015 season, has already appeared in eight games for the Goldeyes and leads the team with a .345 batting average. Spencer, who led MSU with 71 RBI this past season, signed on Thursday.
“I am happy for Chris and Robby as they continue their careers,” Head Coach Mike McGuire said. “Hopefully, they will continue to have the kind of success they had here and that will lead to them being picked up by a (Major League Baseball) affiliated organization.”
The Goldeyes, who played in the independent Northern League from 1994-2010, have been American Association members since 2011. The AA features 13 teams in three divisions. The Goldeyes are in the north with Sioux Falls (S.D.), Fargo-Moorhead (N.D.) and Saint Paul (Minn.).
“We were hoping Chris and Robby would get drafted, but I am glad they are getting a chance to play professionally,” McGuire said. “Those guys had great college careers, and I have no doubt they will be successful at the professional level.”
Robinson and Spencer helped Morehead State to its first Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title since 1993 and its first NCAA Regional berth since 1983. Robinson was named the 2015 OVC Player of the Year, while Spencer was tabbed Second-Team All-OVC.
Robinson was a Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball First-Team All-American. He also earned Second-Team All-America honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writer’s Association and American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings.
Robinson finished among the best in the nation in seven NCAA statistical categories, including runs per game (2nd — 1.34), hits (2nd — 99), RBI per game (6th — 1.19), total bases (6th — 161), batting average (8th — .402), doubles per game (12th — 0.43) and slugging percentage (16th — .654). He paced the OVC in batting average, hits, runs and total bases, while ranking third in doubles and RBI.
Spencer batted .340 with 22 doubles and eight home runs in 2015. His RBI total tied for second in single-season program history. Spencer was listed with the best in Division I in RBI per game (7th — 1.18) and sacrifice flies (20th — 7).
The pair joins teammates Kane Sweeney and Brandon Rawe as 2015 seniors who are now in the professional ranks. Sweeney was selected in the 29th round of the MLB Draft by the New York Yankees, while Rawe was chosen in the 34th round by the Miami Marlins. Both are with Minor League teams.
“We now have four seniors off this team who are playing professionally, and that speaks highly of the caliber of talent we have been able to attract to our program,” McGuire added. “I wish all four the best of luck in their careers.”
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