University of Memphis Athletics

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Denz signs with San Diego Padres
Jun 14, 2020 | Baseball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis senior Danny Denz became the next Tiger baseball alumnus to join the professional ranks after signing a free-agent deal with the San Diego Padres.
The left-handed pitcher signed with the Padres on Sunday after Major League Baseball concluded its condensed five-round draft on Thursday.
In his four-year collegiate career, Denz totaled 37 appearances on the mound with 23 starts. He registered 121 strikeouts in 118 innings pitched.
In 2020, the Carpentersville, Ill., native produced a 1.50 ERA in 18 innings pitched and tallied a 2-0 record on the mound. He led the team with 26 strikeouts and ranked 13th nationally in hits allowed per nine innings (3.5).
The senior set the tone early in the year after a five-inning, no-hit start with five strikeouts in the season-opening win against Xavier. In his last outing of the season, Denz turned in a career outing, tossing a one-hit effort in six innings with a career-high 11 strikeouts at UNCW.
Denz becomes the 99th player in program history to sign with an MLB team. He's also the third player in Memphis history to sign with the Padres, joining Erik Schoenrock (2013) and Jason Weidmeyer (2001).
Additionally, Denz is the 108th student-athlete to play for head coach Daron Schoenrock to pursue a professional baseball opportunity and 37th Memphis player to accomplish the feat.
With Denz's signing, the Tigers also continued a streak of having a Memphis player drafted or sign a free-agent deal in each year since 2010 with 30 players signing MLB contracts during that span.
The left-handed pitcher signed with the Padres on Sunday after Major League Baseball concluded its condensed five-round draft on Thursday.
In his four-year collegiate career, Denz totaled 37 appearances on the mound with 23 starts. He registered 121 strikeouts in 118 innings pitched.
In 2020, the Carpentersville, Ill., native produced a 1.50 ERA in 18 innings pitched and tallied a 2-0 record on the mound. He led the team with 26 strikeouts and ranked 13th nationally in hits allowed per nine innings (3.5).
The senior set the tone early in the year after a five-inning, no-hit start with five strikeouts in the season-opening win against Xavier. In his last outing of the season, Denz turned in a career outing, tossing a one-hit effort in six innings with a career-high 11 strikeouts at UNCW.
Denz becomes the 99th player in program history to sign with an MLB team. He's also the third player in Memphis history to sign with the Padres, joining Erik Schoenrock (2013) and Jason Weidmeyer (2001).
Additionally, Denz is the 108th student-athlete to play for head coach Daron Schoenrock to pursue a professional baseball opportunity and 37th Memphis player to accomplish the feat.
With Denz's signing, the Tigers also continued a streak of having a Memphis player drafted or sign a free-agent deal in each year since 2010 with 30 players signing MLB contracts during that span.
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