BYU Pitcher Jarod Lesser Signs With New York Yankees

PROVO, Utah – BYU baseball pitcher Jarod Lesser signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees on Sunday.

Lessar is a right-handed pitcher from Price, Utah where he played the last two seasons with BYU after transferring to the Cougars from Utah State Eastern. As a junior in 2019, Lessar helped BYU win the West Coast Conference title, holding a 3-2 record with a 4.44 ERA.

In 19 appearances, Lessar started seven games with 44 strikeouts in 48.2 innings in 2019.

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Even though the 2020 season was shortened with the pandemic, Lessar made four starts in five appearances. He had 15 strikeouts and a 4.41 ERA in 16.1 innings pitched.

“I couldn’t be happier for Jarod,” BYU head coach Mike Littlewood said. “He is such a great example of how hard work and dedication to your craft pays off. Jarod earned this opportunity and I’m glad the Yankees recognize his talent. We will miss him, but we wish him the best of luck as he begins his professional career.”

Major League Baseball cut the Draft to five rounds instead of the usual 40 rounds. With the change, teams can sign as my draft-eligible players as they want during a free agent period. The free agency period began Sunday morning at 7 a.m. MT.

Lessar will report to the Yankees in Tampa, Florida as the MLB begins to set training and playing dates for the upcoming season.