Farris, Winegardner ink professional contracts

July 7, 2011

By Steve Blake of CKYSports


LEBANON, Tenn. - Cumberland baseball players Cory Farris and Tommy Winegardner have both signed professional contracts in the last two weeks - Farris with the Chicago White Sox and Winegarnder with the Baltimore Orioles. Farris was drafted in the 45th round by the White Sox after batting .279 in 62 games this season for CU, starting 50 contests in rightfield and another eight at catcher. The Florence, Ky., native collected nine doubles, 12 home runs and 53 RBIs along with 50 runs scored while starting every contest in 2011. He ranked second on the club in home runs and RBIs and tied for the team-high with two triples. Farris was also selected by the White Sox three years ago after high school. He was assigned to Bristol [TN] and the short-season Appalachian League and is currently hitting .167 through nine contests with one triple, one homer and five RBIs. Winegardner inked a free agent contract with the Orioles after batting .341 and starting all 62 games at shortstop. The switch-hitter collected 12 doubles, eight home runs, 42 RBIs and scored a team-leading 58 runs while also drawing 31 walks. Winegardner was assigned to the GCL Orioles in the Florida State League. The St. Leonard, Md., native is batting .333 in two contests with a double and a run scored. Will Locante, selected in the 11th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks, remains unsigned