BATON ROUGE — The Chicago Cubs have signed their second round selection from the 2009 MLB Draft, infielder DJ LeMahieu of LSU. LeMahieu has joined the Cubs’ Rookie League team in Mesa, Ariz.
LeMahieu, a product of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., helped lead LSU to the 2009 College World Series title, batting a team-high .350 (96-for-274) with 57 runs, 13 doubles, four triples, five homers, 43 RBI and a .419 on-base percentage. The second baseman led the club in hits (96) and multi-hit games (30), and his 14-game hitting streak tied for the team lead.
LeMahieu was named to the ’09 CWS all-tournament team, batting .444 (12-for-27) with one double, one triple, one homer, four RBI and nine runs. His two-out, two-run double in the ninth inning of Game 1 versus Texas in the CWS Championship Finals erased a 6-4 deficit and allowed LSU to defeat the Longhorns, 7-6, in 11 innings.
“DJ is joining a great organization, and we’re very proud of what he accomplished with us,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “He was a part of the No. 1 recruiting class we signed in 2007, and he had a tremendous impact upon our program in his two seasons here. He has a fantastic future ahead of him with the Cubs.”
In 2008, LeMahieu hit .337 (87-for-258) with 11 doubles, six homers and 44 RBI as the club’s starting shortstop. He closed out the season with a 16-game hitting streak and went on to earn NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team honors, as well as the Louisiana Freshman of the Year Award.
The 6-4, 196-pound LeMahieu was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 41st round of the 2007 Draft, but elected to attend LSU before beginning his pro career.
LeMahieu’s signing increases to five the number of LSU players that have joined MLB organizations this summer. Other players signing pro contracts include outfielder Jared Mitchell (White Sox), pitcher Louis Coleman (Royals), catcher Sean Ochinko (Blue Jays) and pitcher Nolan Cain (Tigers).