Monroe, La. – Redshirt junior pitcher Cole Gray signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Athletics Monday afternoon.
The 6 foot 3 inch right hander recently completed his second season at ULM, posting a 1-1 record over 15 appearances in 2019, giving up 24 runs, 19 earned, on 28 hits with 21 strikeouts to 13 walks.
"It's something I've dreamed about and joked around about with my friends and teammates," Gray said. "It's coming true. It still does not feel real."
The native of Meridian, Miss., spent two years at ULM learning from head coach Michael Federico.
"ULM helped me with the mental side of the game," Gray said. "They showed me that every day you need to work and try to get a little bit better."
"I think it's an exciting moment," Federico said. "He gets his degree and works hard. He has an opportunity to move into the real world, so to speak, because he had his degree. He had a year of eligibility left, but with his age, he really needed to go play and give himself an opportunity to make it to the big leagues. The time was right for him. I'm just truly excited for him and his opportunity."
Gray says he's thankful for his time at ULM.
"ULM is the first place other than where I grew up that I called home," Gray said. "My teammates were more than I could ever ask for. They stuck behind me and believed in me even when I didn't. They were there even when I didn't want anyone around. They helped me beyond what I can explain. Without certain people on my team, I wouldn't be where I am today. I had so many other friends that weren't on the team that I met there that I will never forget and have become as close to me as family. I'll always be grateful for those people being my friends and loving me for who I am."
Gray is the fourth Warhawk to earn a professional opportunity this offseason, joining Chad Bell, Trent Tingelstad and Trey Jeans, who were each selected in the MLB Draft.
"I think it says a lot about the coaching staff and some of the guys we were able to bring in and some of the guys we were able to inherit," Federico said. "We helped develop them with little things that helped make them better hitters and better pitchers. For scouts and professional organizations to see that out of our university is impressive. Hopefully there's more to come in the future."
