Former LSU pitcher Louis Coleman signed a professional contract with the Kansas City Royals organization Monday.Coleman will begin his professional career for the Royals’ Class A affiliate, the Burlington (Iowa) Bees.The Schlater, Miss., native was named a First-Team All-American and the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year his senior season after deciding to return to school.The Washington Nationals drafted Coleman in the 14th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The Royals selected Coleman in the fifth round in this year’s draft.”Louis’ return was certainly a major factor in our drive to the national championship,” LSU coach Paul Mainieri said in a news release. “It’s difficult to put into words how valuable he was to our program. He is a great pitcher, but he is also a young man of tremendous faith and character. We will miss him very much, and I know he is destined for future success.”—-Contact The Daily Reveille sports staff at [email protected]