FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas shortstop Jalen Battles signed with the Tampa Bay Rays, MLB.com reported Tuesday.
Battles signed for $247,500, according to MLB.com senior writer Jim Callis. That is below the $328,400 for his slot as the 164th player selected in the fifth round of the draft.
Battles is the third of Arkansas' nine drafted players to sign since the draft ended last Tuesday. Ninth-round pitchers Evan Taylor (Miami Marlins) and Connor Noland (Chicago Cubs) signed last week.
The signing deadline for drafted players is Aug. 1. All of the Razorbacks' draft picks are expected to sign.