Aug. 4, 2016
RENO, Nev. - University of Nevada outfielder TJ Friedl has signed a record breaking free agent deal to play professional baseball for the Cincinnati Reds. Friedl received a signing bonus of $735,000 breaking the record for an undrafted domestic player.
"We are extremely excited for TJ and the opportunity his signing with the Reds gives him to play professional baseball," Nevada head coach T.J. Bruce said. "His work ethic, high character and determination were unmatched. He will definitely be missed in the lineup each day and even more his leadership on and off the field. We wish him the best."
Is the largest signing bonus for a Nevada position player and third largest in school history behind pitchers Braden Shipley (2.25 million) and Darrell Rasner ($800,000).
Friedl earned a spot on the USA Collegiate National Team that recently played games in Taiwan, Japan, Cuba and the United States. Appearing in 18 games with 15 starts he batted .290 with a home run, nine RBI and four stolen bases. He joined Brett Hayes (2004) and Jim Puzey (1983) as the only Nevada players to earn a spot on the USA Collegiate National Team.
The Pleasanton, Calif. native led the Pack with a .401 batting averaging starting 58 games for a Nevada team that went 37-24 and reached the Mountain West Championship this past season. He topped the team in slugging percentage (.562), on base percentage (.494), runs scored (68), triples (9), and total bases (125).
Friedl was a second-team ABCA/Rawlings All-West selection and was named to the MW All-Tournament team.
-- @NevadaWolfPack --
