[Stardust]

University of Cincinnati baseball signee Jackson Laumann has decided to sign with the Atlanta Braves, forgoing his collegiate eligibility.

A first baseman and pitcher from Boone County High School, Laumann was selected in the 31st round (No. 956 overall) by the Braves in the 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He had until Aug. 15 to decide whether to sign with Atlanta or enroll at UC.

“We are disappointed in that we won’t get the opportunity to coach Jackson because I do believe that he would have been an outstanding college player and has the type of character and personality that would have made him a great teammate and fun to coach,” said UC baseball head coach Brian Cleary. “At the same time, we are excited for him as he begins his professional career and we wish him nothing but success.”

Laumann was named the 2011 Northern Kentucky Baseball co-Player of the Year by the Cincinnati Enquirer after hitting nearly .400 with 11 home runs and going 5-0 with a 2.41 ERA on the mound during the regular season.

Laumann becomes the third member of the Bearcats baseball program to join the professional ranks this season. In June, senior right-handed pitcher Dan Jensen (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) was selected in the 20th round by the Cincinnati Reds and senior shortstop Chris Peters (Tipp City, Ohio/Tipp City) signed a free-agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

[baseonballs]

Congratulations.

[baseonballs]

Did I read somewhere that Laumann's father is a scouting director with a major league team?