Agent: LSU reliever Parker Bugg has signed with the Miami Marlins

Bugg is the third Tiger to sign professionally

By JAMES MORAN
Tiger Rag Associate Editor

Paul Mainieri has lost one of his most trusted relievers.

Parker Bugg signed with the Miami Marlins Thursday and will begin his professional career, his agent told Tiger Rag on Friday morning. The club drafted the lanky right-hander in the 27th round of the MLB Draft on Saturday.

Kurt Varricchio, who represents the California native for Full Circle Sports Management, said Bugg took his physical and signed on the dotted line Thursday evening. According to Varricchio, he’s already in Jupiter, Fl., the home of the organization’s Florida State League Class A Advanced affiliate, to begin practicing.

Bugg’s junior season was much like the one that proceeded it, as the right-hander overcame some early-season struggles to serve as the primary setup man to closer Hunter Newman. He pitched to a 3.40 ERA in 39.2 innings over 28 relief appearances.

The news comes at the heels of a streak of pivotal returns for the Tigers during the past couple days. Greg Deichmann, Kramer Robertson and Cole Freeman, 3/4 of LSU’s starting infield this season, all announced they’ll be returning in 2017, as did Mainieri Thursday amid rumored flirtations with Texas.

Bugg is the third LSU player to sign professionally, and the second right-handed pitcher. Outfielder Jake Fraley, drafted No. 77 overall by the Tampa Bay Rays, confirmed last Friday that he’ll be signing professionally. Right-hander pitcher Riley Smith announced via twitter Monday that he’ll be signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks after being selected in the 24th round.

The Tigers are still awaiting decisions from left-hander Jared Poche’ (14th round, San Diego Padres) and right-hander Jesse Stallings (15th round, Cincinnati Reds).

As far as signees, No. 4 overall pick Riley Pint (Colorado Rockies) and JUCO pitcher Kyle Weatherly, an eighth-round selection of the Toronto Blue Jays, both signed professionally.

Right-handed pitcher Zach Hess tweeted that he’ll be enrolling at LSU instead of signing with the New York Yankees, who selected him in the 35th round. The staff expects the remainder of LSU’s signing class will also make their way to campus.

The deadline to sign in July 15.