Arizona third baseman Tony Bullard, who wasn't selected in the 2023 MLB Draft despite impressive credentials, has agreed to a free-agent contract with the Miami Marlins.
AZ Desert Swarm first reported the transaction.
Bullard notched career highs in several statistical categories as a fifth-year senior this past season, including batting average (.328), home runs (12) and RBIs (42). After returning from a concussion on April 6, Bullard hit .403 with 13 doubles, 11 home runs and 38 RBIs in 129 at-bats.
Despite his size (6-4, 212) and athleticism, Bullard was bypassed in the draft, perhaps because of injury concerns (he hurt his throwing shoulder in 2022) or worries about his relatively advanced age (he turns 24 in February).
Five Wildcats were picked in this year's draft. Bullard becomes the sixth to join an MLB organization.
Arizona coach Chip Hale closes the book on the 2023 season after the Wildcats were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament via a 9-3 loss to Santa Clara (video by Michael Lev / Arizona Daily Star)
