SIOUX FALLS, S.D.-- Augustana baseball's Thomas Bruss has signed with the New Jersey Jackals. Bruss becomes the sixth Viking baseball player to sign a professional contract following the 2022 season.

The Jackals are a member of the Frontier League, an independent baseball league which is a Partner League of Major League Baseball.

"What a true journey it has been the past five years for Thomas. The on the field growth and pitching development doesn't even begin to tell the story. I'm really proud of who he has grown into during his time here at Augustana There may have been a few heart-to-heart conversations with me his first year or two, but he turned a corner and has turned into a man. A large and strong one at that!" said Augustana baseball head coach Tim Huber.

"Back in my day if you threw 90 you were getting drafted or signed. Now, 95 is the new 90 and Thomas has that velocity and then some (topping at 98 on occasion). At 6-8 and 275 pounds, he is an intimidating presence on the mound. I never really doubted Thomas would get signed this year. He is too big and throws too hard for someone not to take a shot on him. If he keeps working on his off-speed and throwing strikes with those pitches he could pitch for a while."

As a senior, Bruss appeared in 17 games, spending 19.2 innings on the mound. The righty struck out 22 batters in 2022 as the Vikings claimed the NSIC Championship.

In 2021, he appeared in 16 games on the mound for the Vikings and logged 24 strikeouts in 14.2 innings pitched.

Bruss is the 31st student-athlete that Tim Huber has coached that has gone on to a professional career.

–GoAugie.com–