FAYETTEVILLE — Dominic Ficociello signed with the team that drafted him twice Friday.
The Detroit Tigers selected the Fullerton, Calif. native in the 12th round (366th overall) of this year’s draft. The Tigers also drafted Ficociello in the 23rd round of the 2010 MLB draft.
Ficociello hit .335 his freshman year and .290 his sophomore season, but struggled to hit near .300 after suffering an oblique injury early in the season. The switch-hitting infielder hit just .247 in his third season with the Razorbacks.
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said Ficociello is the best defensive first baseman he has ever worked with, but on Twitter, Ficociello said third base would likely be his primary position in the Detroit organization. He recorded 1,185 putouts in three seasons.
Ficociello started 26 games at second base in 2013, but in the Razorbacks’ run to the 2012 College World Series, he made 61 starts at first base and posted a .991 fielding average.
He is the seventh Arkansas player to sign a pro contract since last week's draft. The Razorbacks had 11 players drafted overall.
The Tigers have had a knack for drafting Arkansas players in the last few years, including drafting left-handed pitcher Drew Smyly and catcher James McCann in the second round, and acquiring right-handed pitcher Jess Todd.