Colorado Rockies Sign Minnesota Pitcher T.J. Oakes

There's some new Minnesota based talent in the Colorado Rockies organization. Former Golden Gophers pitcher T.J. Oakes has officially signed a contract with the Rockies after being drafted in the 2012 MLB First-Year Players draft earlier in the month in the 11th round by Colorado.

Now that a contract has been signed, Oakes will officially join the organization on Monday and will be headed to Washington to play for the Rockies' short season Single-A affiliate, the Tri-City Dust Devils.

"Playing in the minors is going to be a different experience, but I'm probably a little more prepared for it than most people since my dad (Todd Oakes) was a minor league pitching coach when I was growing up (San Francisco Giants affiliates). I grew up around the ballpark and I have a little understanding of it. It's definitely going to be difficult to adjust right away but once you get into the rhythm and routine, make some friends, it's going to be a fun summer."

The big 6'5'' right handed pitcher went 7-3 with a 2.31 ERA this season for the Gophers and had earned First Team All Big Ten honors after holidng a sub 2.00 ERA for the majority of the year. He was third in the Big Ten in strikeouts with 78 and led the conference in number of strikeouts looking with 28. He will be leaving to pitch for the Rockies after his junior year.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. More on T.J. Oakes' new team the Colorado Rockies can be found over at Purple Row.