Mississippi State junior pitcher Vance “Moonlight” Tatum has agreed to terms with the Kansas City Royals.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound southpaw from Southaven was drafted by the Royals in the 18th round with the 553rd pick overall. Tatum will begin his professional career with the Burlington Royals in the Appalachian League, which begins play on Thursday.
Tatum made 17 relief appearances for the Bulldogs this past season and recorded one save. He had a 5.24 earned run average, 23 strikeouts and seven walks over 22 1/3 innings of work.
Tatum is the first MSU drafted by the Royals since Jeremy Jackson in 1998.