Junior first baseman Matt Clark will forego his senior season at LSU and begin his professional baseball career, the San Diego Padres announced in a release Friday.
The Fontana, Calif., native signed with the Padres’ organization after the Padres selected him in the 12th round with the 375th overall pick.
Clark led the Tigers and tied for the national lead in home runs this past season with 28 bombs.
LSU coach Paul Mainieri has said since the College World Series he did not expect Clark to return to LSU for another season.
Clark is the fifth of seven LSU players drafted to sign professionally.
Senior pitcher Jared Bradford, senior third baseman Michael Hollander, junior pitcher Blake Martin and junior pitcher Ryan Verdugo have already signed with their respective major league organizations.
Junior pitchers Louis Coleman and Jordan Brown round out the seven LSU players drafted.
The Padres also announced Friday the signing of Florida infielder Cole Figueroa.
Figueroa was the Padres’ sixth-round pick.
—-Contact Jerit Roser @ [email protected]