Left-hander chooses Hogs over Brewers

Pitcher Blake Lillis will play for Arkansas next season, he told coaches late last week.

Lillis, a left-hander from Overland Park, Kan., was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 25th round last month.

“My first goal was to go to college and get a degree,” Lillis said. “My dream when I was younger was to go to the College World Series. I really wanted to go to college first and really didn’t think I was going to get drafted [before].”

Lillis indicated he was leaning toward going to school throughout negotiating with the Brewers.

As a senior, Lillis helped Thomas Aquinas High School to a Class 5A state championship. He was the starting pitcher and had a three-run triple in the championship game.

Lillis was high school teammates with Riley Pint, a pitcher who was selected fourth overall by the Colorado Rockies.

Of Arkansas’ seven signees who were drafted, only right-handed pitcher Trevor Stephan of Hill Junior College in Texas has yet to make a decision. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 18th round, and his negotiations are expected to continue until Friday’s signing deadline.

In addition to Lillis, outfielder Jordan McFarland and right-handed pitcher Brenden Heiss, both from Illinois, will play for the Razorbacks next season.