Report: Clemson pitcher Kevin Brady signs with Phillies

CLEMSON — Clemson has lost another starting pitcher to professional baseball as Kevin Brady has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for the slot budget of $125,000, according to Baseball America.

Brady was a 10th round pick in this month’s draft.

Brady is the second of Clemson’s weekend starting pitchers to turn pro this month, joining Dominic Leone, a 17th round pick who signed with the Mariners for $100,000

Even with Major League Baseball’s new bonus-depressing collective bargaining agreement, the draft has not been kind to Clemson baseball as it has lost two-thirds of its weekend rotation and its top signee, Lucas Sims, to professional baseball following elimination in the NCAA tournament.

Brady entered the season as a top 50 prospect in the college ranks according to Baseball America, but struggled with injuries for a second straight season. Philadelphia was intrigued with his potential as Brady can touch 95 mph with his fastball.

Brady was 1-3 with a 2.54 ERA this spring for Clemson in 11 starts. He struck out 62 batters in 632/3 innings.

Cougars’ Renfro signs
College of Charleston pitcher Josh Renfro signed a free-agent contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, the school announced on Tuesday.

Renfro, a senior left-hander from Bradenton, Fla., was 15-11 with an earned-run average of 3.56 during his career with the Cougars.

Renfro is the fifth College of Charleston player to be drafted by or sign with a Major League Baseball team this year. Outfielder Marty Gantt (Tampa Bay), pitcher Christian Powell (Minnesota) and pitcher David Peterson (Atlanta) were drafted, and pitcher Kyle Owings signed as a free agent with Arizona.

Gantt, a seventh-round pick, has signed with the Rays and will begin his pro career with Hudson Valley of the short-season New York-Penn League.

Cribbs gets fans to CWS
One of Kent State’s most famous alums is making sure his school is backed at the College World Series.

Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs bought tickets and chartered a bus to take Golden Flashes fans to Omaha this weekend to see the school’s first appearance in the World Series. Kent State advanced by beating Oregon in the Super Regional.

Cribbs, who played quarterback at Kent State, bought 53 tickets for Saturday’s game against Arkansas. He said he did it so Kent State would be well represented in Omaha.

Cribbs said even fans of rival Akron have been tweeting him congratulations for his alma mater’s big win.

The Golden Flashes are the first Mid-American Conference team to make it to the World Series since Eastern Michigan in 1976.