**Former KU Pitcher Easley Joins Texas Rangers**
Kansas pitcher J’Briell Easley has signed with the Texas Rangers, KU announced on Thursday evening. Easley, who went undrafted, had remaining eligibility after his redshirt junior season with KU in 2024 but opted to go pro. He joins Ben Hartl, a catcher and first baseman drafted in the 14th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, as the second Jayhawk to join the reigning World Series champions.
Originally from Shawnee, Oklahoma, Easley spent two years at Cowley College in Arkansas City before transferring to KU in January 2023, just as Dan Fitzgerald began his tenure as head coach. Easley missed the subsequent season due to injury and made only one appearance for KU prior to April 2024, ultimately playing just ten games with six starts for the Jayhawks.
Easley’s value peaked at the end of the season when he started against Oklahoma in the Big 12 tournament, delivering a 4 2/3-inning performance with 11 strikeouts, showcasing his potential despite being charged with three earned runs.
Easley had entered the transfer portal on June 28, but his professional signing nullifies that decision.
His signing follows six KU players being selected in the MLB Draft: Hunter Cranton by the Seattle Mariners, Kodey Shojinaga by the Philadelphia Phillies, Ethan Lanthier by the New York Mets, Tegan Cain by the Phillies, Hartl by the Rangers, and Evan Shaw by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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