Backhus inks deal with Diamondbacks

HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston pitcher Kyle Backhus became the third Bearkat taken into the MLB on Wednesday when he signed a free agent deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Backhus joins teammates Colton Cowser and Jack Rogers in joining MLB clubs from this year's team. With Cowser and Rogers' selections in the MLB Draft, the Kats have had 66 all-time selections in the MLB Draft, including 25 since 2013.

The signing caps a five-year career for Backhus with the Kats, one which started as a key piece to Sam Houston's run to the 2017 Tallahassee Super Regional. He pitched in 28 games that season as a true freshman, including getting starts in the Lubbock Regional vs Arizona and in Game 1 of the Tallahassee Super Regional vs Florida State.

In all, he pitched 150.2 innings for the Kats in 71 appearances in his career with a 4.66 ERA, 11-8 record, 3 saves and 161 strikeouts.

But it was his final two seasons with the program that were his best, including a stellar 2021 campaign. After a good start to the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Backhus held down the Sunday starter role for the Kats for the duration of the season, going 4-2 with a 3.49 ERA. He led the team with 60 strikeouts in 56.2 innings and held hitters to just a .198 average.

He was at his best in the Southland Conference Tournament where he made two starts, tossing 13.2 innings with just three earned runs allowed and 11 strikeouts to just one walk. That included a brilliant complete-game outing on two days rest in the tournament championship game where he struck out six without issuing a walk in 8.0 innings, not allowing a run after the first inning.

Backhus inks deal with Diamondbacks

Players Mentioned

Kyle Backhus

Colton Cowser

Jack Rogers

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