Blake Parker and Daryl Maday Ink Professional Contracts

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas juniors Blake Parker and Daryl Maday have signed professional contracts and will forgo their senior seasons with the Diamond Hogs. Parker, the Razorbacks third baseman this past season, was drafted in the 16th round by the Chicago Cubs. He will catch in the Cubs organization after hitting .246 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 2006. Parker will begin his professional career in Mesa, Ariz., before joining the Boise Hawks, Chicagos short-season A club. Maday, was taken in the 30th round by the San Francisco Giants. He spent time in the Diamond Hogs weekend rotation and served as the closer in 2006. Maday went 2-3 with a 3.14 ERA and five saves. He pitched 48.2 innings and fanned 37 while walking only 13. Arkansas seniors Craig Gentry and Devin Collis have also signed professional contracts. Gentry, a 10th-round pick of the Texas Rangers, is slated to begin play for the Spokane Indians on June 19. Collis was a 26th-round pick of the Colorado Rockies.